Emirates Team New Zealand almost had another "barker" on board yesterday.
But this would-be crew member bore no resemblance to the team's former skipper, Dean Barker who stood at the helm until 2015.
Instead, it was a curious seal.
The seal leapt out of the water when the catamaran was foiling during training on the Waitemata Harbour.
When Chris Cameron snapped the photo, the marine animal was almost directly in line with the sail of the boat.