Grant Dalton revealed the celebrated English sailor's days in the team are just about numbered.

Dalton said Ainslie, who has two Olympic gold medals to his name, had indicated he wants to quit Emirates Team New Zealand and join start-up America's Cup syndicate Team GBR.

"Most of the talent involved in America's Cup racing is going to be tied up until the summer,'' said Keith Mills said in an interview in London before departing in Valencia. "We'll be in Valencia for a bit of time nailing those contracts.''

"It would be inappropriate to name any of the guys,'' Mills added. "They are all currently under contract with other teams. Their loyalties are, and should be, with their teams.''

Mills has already recruited Nick Masson as his commercial director and Mike Sanderson as Team director.

Masson formerly held the same role at Swiss defending champion Team Alinghi. Sanderson is a New Zealander who competed for Oracle in 2003 before skippering ABN Amro One to the Volvo title last year.