America's Cup: Q&A with Brad Butterworth

By JULIE ASH


Q: What are your thoughts on Valencia?

A: "I am pleasantly surprised with the place because it is a lot more reasonable to live here than most of Europe. It is nothing like Auckland because it is a long coastline with no islands, it is an environment a bit like San Diego with the sea breeze conditions."

Q: Is the Alinghi team complete and how far along are you in terms of boat development for the next cup?

A: "We are going to sail with 36 sailors so we have a few more to go. We start our boat development next year when we change this boat [SUI64] and SUI75 into version five of the [design] rule. We'll make alterations to both of them and try and see if we can make them faster."

Q: How is the syndicate without Russell Coutts?

A: "It is different. It is pretty disappointing because we would be better off with him. I support him 100 per cent, the strength of this team is due to the work that he has put in. It is a pity that it hasn't worked out but hopefully we'll get to sail together again when this campaign is over.

Q: Did you consider leaving?

A: "It crossed our minds. We have sailed together for most of our adult careers. But his position is a little bit different to mine. He felt strongly about it and had plenty of issues ... the good thing about him he doesn't take any backward steps.

Q: You said your relationship with Alinghi syndicate head Ernesto Bertarelli was strained after Coutts' sacking. How is it now?

A: "You get over it. The situation with him and Russell has happened and it is finished. I made a decision to stay and Ernesto is the owner of the team ... my relationship with him is not the same as it was but it is good."

Q: One of Coutts' major strengths was his technical understanding of the boat, do you have other people who can fill that void?

A: "There are other people but they don't have the whole package like Russell does."

Q: Sailing Anarchy [yachting website] has suggested that Coutts and Paul Cayard are forming a cup syndicate.

A: "That would be great but I think it is unlikely you will see him in the next cup and I think that is sad."

Q: How is new helmsman Peter Holmberg going?

A: "We are just getting to know each other really. We make a bunch of mistakes because we don't communicate that well. I am used to communicating one way and he is used to doing it another way. Luckily we have a few years to sort it out. I was a big fan of having Peter in the team because I watched him closely in the last event and he was the toughest guy to beat.

Q: Which rival afterguard are you most weary of?

A: "Oracle have got a very good group. John Kostecki is one of the best sailors in the world and Gavin [Brady] steers the boat very well. Team New Zealand's afterguard is pretty strong, with Terry Hutchinson and Ben Ainslie. There are a few there that are pretty strong but I'd say Oracle are a pretty nice unit."

Q: Alan Sefton's book on Sir Peter Blake has recently been released in New Zealand and is pretty scathing of you and Coutts. Have you seen the book?

A: "I have read the extracts which have been in the papers at home. My relationship with Peter has always been a great one ... and it is just sad that Alan has seen fit to take aim especially at Russell because he wasn't even privy to any of the meetings that I sat in, and I sat in everything. I am sure that everyone was disappointed in the way things turned out but if you are going to apportion blame he needs to look in the mirror."

Q: Twice, the book says, Blake had the backing of the board to sack you and Russell.

A: "It is his version which is a little bit sad really. He has made a lot of money off Blake's coat tails over the years and I just hope that if there are any proceeds from that book then they go to Peter's family ... they are the ones that need it."

Q: What's on the agenda for you over the coming months?

A: "I'll sail in other events up until March next year, then we'll be sailing here. Our campaign will really start to get going in April."

Q: Do you see yourself returning to New Zealand one day?

A: "I still have a lot of family there ... but at this stage I am in Europe. I'll go back for Christmas. I love going back."