Allen coaches young Team NZ bowmen

One of Team New Zealand's most experienced members, Joey Allen has plenty to offer those new to the game.

Now in his mid-40s, Allen been sailing since he was a kid. "I started sailing in Auckland at the Howick Sailing Club and the Bucklands Beach Yacht Club."

Allen grew up in a yachting family, serving an apprentice as a builder, before sailing became his career.

He has sailed flying ants, 18-footers and all the keel boats.

Allen was Chris Dickson's bowman for 15 years and has done two round-the-world races. He was bowman on NZL32 in 1995, and again for the team's historic first defence in 2000.

This time around he is more involved in helping to improve the performances of younger bowmen.

"I get all the video off the water and store it and show it to the guys who need to see it. It is pretty hard to coach guys of this level - I just show them what happened that day.

"This team is much younger. They have got a real hunger to achieve excellence."

Looking at the remaining two challengers - Oracle and Alinghi - Allen is not fazed.

"They don't scare me at all. I don't think they are any better than we are, although they certainly appear very polished and very smooth.

But he is confident Team New Zealand are on track. "If the America's Cup were tomorrow I am not sure we would be ready, but I believe on the day we'll be ready to go.

"There is still a lot of work to do."

And his plans after this cup?

"I am going to sail in the 3.7 dinghy nationals. But I want to spend time with my family first."

Joey Allen - mid bowman

Age: 45

Place of birth: Te Awamutu

Cup experience:

2000: Team New Zealand

1995: Team New Zealand

Career highlights:

1997: Steinlager Line 7 Cup, 2nd.

1993: Whitbread round-the-world race, Yamaha (1st), 14ft Skiff Worlds (10th).

1992: Australian 14ft Skiff champs (10th), Key West Race Week, Gaucho (1st), New Zealand 14ft Skiff champs (1st).

1991: Admiral's Cup Vibes (3rd), One Ton Cup Vibes (1st), New Zealand 14ft Skiff champs (1st).

1990: World Championship of Match Race Sailing crew (1st), Baltic Match Race Series crew (1st), Citizen Cup Match Race series (1st), World Championship of Match Race Sailing (6th), ACY Cup Match Race series (1st), Australia Cup Match Race series (1st).

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