Peter Burling with his silver medal from the London Olympics. Photo/file
Peter Burling with his silver medal from the London Olympics. Photo/file
Tauranga's Peter Burling has been tipped to lead Team New Zealand in the wake of former skipper Dean Barker being dumped today.
However, Team New Zealand have said in a statement just released that no decision had been made in relation to helmsman for the America's Cup 2017. Media reports this afternoon relating to Barker's replacement were ''inaccurate'', the statement said.
Burling's father Richard told the Bay of Plenty Times reports about his son replacing Barker were ''speculation'' and Peter was currently surfing in Auckland with friends.
Click here to read Sports Editor Peter White's salute to Bay sporting stars Peter Burling and Kane Williamson.
News broke this afternoon that Barker will no longer be helmsman for Team New Zealand.
That regatta will take place in Auckland in early 2017.
America's Cup organisers will formally announce the plan next month.
The taxpayer's already spent $5 million keeping Team New Zealand.
Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce also confirmed today Team NZ is likely to get less government funding this time round than the $36 million for the 2013 America's Cup.
Mr Joyce said he was unable to confirm any funding details until the America's Cup Authority formally announces whether New Zealand had secured the qualifiers' series in the lead up to the Cup in June next year.
Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker. Photo / Greg Bowker
There are unconfirmed reports Auckland will be the host for that series which Mr Joyce has done little to quash. The Herald reported this morning that the Government had agreed to contribute the funding but it would be "significantly less" than last time.
Mr Joyce said the figure would be finalised once the announcement was made. "I suspect it will be less than that [$36 million]."
He said there would be different views on the merits of it. "But certainly holding a significant part of the regatta, less than half, but still significant, in Auckland with Oracle racing which would be very positive from New Zealand's perspective."
Dean Barker is greeted by thousands of fans at Shed 10 in 2013. Photo / Greg Bowker
Labour's sport spokesman Trevor Mallard confirmed he was briefed on the outcome of the qualifiers' series decisions, but not by the Government and hinted it was international sources. He said he did not intend to break the confidentiality he was bound by.
Mr Mallard was Sport Minister under the former Labour Government which had given the $36 million funding and said he believed it was worth re-investing in the team whether or not it had secured a series. He said the Government had earned more in income tax and GST than it contributed in direct funding last time. "It would be logical for them to put money in on the cost benefit and tax analysis they've done. I think it adds up."
Peter Burling 2015 Moth World Champion. Photo/file
Mr Mallard's leader was slightly less convinced and Mr Mallard said he had not passed on the information he knew to Mr Little because "I don't break confidences."
Mr Little said the America's Cup was perceived as a "rich man's game" but Labour could support funding if it was justified by benefits to local businesses such as boat builders, sail makers and component part makers.
"Obviously it's a sport that looks like a rich man's game - the big flash yachts, well paid crew. But if there's positive benefits, particularly if that exceeds any contribution the Government is making, I think it's worth looking at."
He said New Zealand was a world leader in boat building and hosting a series allowed a chance to showcase that technology. However, he said he wanted to see a business case before agreeing to it.
Mr Joyce said he would be surprised if Labour criticised a funding contribution, given it was Labour which committed $36 million for the last campaign.
