Grant Dalton's Emirates Team New Zealand had more bad news this week.

Their America's Cup syndicate lost two key members to Oracle, this time from its shore crew: sail designer Robert Hook; and the boss of Team New Zealand's sail loft Craig Phillips.

Hook was right-hand man to chief sail designer Burn Fallow, and Phillips took care of the team's day-to-day sail operations and maintenance. Although New Zealand is blessed with many first-rate sail-makers, the pair's departure will be a blow.

The US syndicate will now be privy to many of TNZ's design ideas. Oracle hired crew member Jono Macbeth last year, and TNZ boss Grant Dalton confirmed about a third of his team are on the market having been laid off while the cup remains in limbo due to court action.