Barker the right man for the job

While he may have the hopes of an entire nation riding on his shoulders, most agree there is no one better to guide the black boat than 29-year-old Dean Barker.

"He was certainly going to be my choice as helmsman. We all know he is an excellent sailor and I can't say enough about him,' said Alinghi skipper Russell Coutts, who has won the right to challenge Barker and Team New Zealand for the America's Cup.

Barker grew up on Auckland's North Shore. His father, successful clothing retailer Ray Barker, bought him an Optimist but his first outing on Lake Pupuke didn't exactly go to plan when he had to rescued from the middle of the lake. It almost put him off sailing for life.

But he gave the sport a second chance and graduated from Optimists to the P Class, when he won the two top awards - the Tanner and Tauranga Cups.

From a career in dinghies, where he won several international titles and the world youth title, Barker's first taste of the America's Cup came when he was asked to help Team NZ with their preparations for 1995.

And when Team NZ brought the cup to Auckland, Barker jumped at the opportunity to join the team.

Often at the helm of the B boat, Barker had plenty of success against Coutts and the A team in training.

Name: Dean Barker.

Age: 29.

Place of birth: Auckland.

Position: skipper/helmsman .

Cup experience:

2000: tune-up helmsman, skipper.

1995: training team.

Career highlights:

1998: Australian Cup, ACI Cup Croatia, Swedish Match Cup, Trofeo Challenge Italy, Kenwood Cup, Individual Boat Kenwood Cup.

1997: Steinlager Line 7 Cup, NZ Match Racing Nationals, MRX Match Racing Champs, Admirals Cup, Southern Cross, Sydney to Hobart.

1996: ISAF World Ranking Finn Class, Olympic Trials Finn, Kenwood Cup.

1995: NZ Match Racing Champs.

1994: NZ Match Racing Champs.

1993: Asian Pacific Laser Champs.