Alinghi confirmed the worst-kept secret in Valencia with the announcement that Ed Baird is to steer SUI 100.

Skipper Brad Butterworth's announcement today, on the eve of race one of a best-of-nine series, came as little surprise. Earlier this week, Team NZ managing director Grant Dalton predicted that Baird would get the nod over main rival Peter Holmberg, from the US Virgin Islands.

Since Russell Coutts left the syndicate in 2004, Alinghi puppeteers have rotated helmsmen Ed Baird and Peter Holmberg. It appears as though the syndicate believes that they have a speed edge, but if the situation changes, and Alinghi has to battle, then native USVI sailor Holmberg may take over.

Baird, who was tune-up helmsman during Team NZ's successful challenge in San Diego in 1995, is seen as a smooth technician and less aggressive than Holmberg. .

The skill of Ed Baird, explains Luna Rossa helmsman Philippe Presti, "is to be able to sail the boat all the time with good speed. He is difficult to attack because he is always moving. He is good at coming off the starting line at full power. Even when he's not on the favoured side, he improves his position by being at top speed. His style isn't overly aggressive. He's a high percentage type of sailor, who will go for a sure kill, but avoid riskier situations".

Butterworth, who is also Alinghi's tactician, revealed that the choice was made about six weeks ago and was based on many hours of sailing with both contenders.

"It was one of the toughest decisions I had to make in this campaign and I certainly struggled with it," he said. "The one thing that has come out of it is that, after I told the guys, they've both taken it on to a different level. It's pretty heartening."

Butterworth also named the rest of Alinghi's 17 crew, including five ex-Team NZ members in Butterworth, trimmers Simon Daubney and Warwick Fleury, strategist-traveller Murray Jones and runner-pitman Dean Phipps, who were all part of Alinghi's victory over their former syndicate in Auckland in 2003.

Seven other nationalities will be represented on SUI100, but only one sailor is from the defenders' home country of Switzerland - syndicate boss Ernesto Bertarelli, who is part of the afterguard.