Black Magic to get state-of-art mast

By Suzanne McFadden

The latest in Team New Zealand's new boat technology for the 2000 America's Cup is about to be launched on Auckland waters - in the shape of a radical new mast.

The new wing mast, with five spreaders, will go into one of the Black Magic yachts this week to be tested on the Hauraki Gulf before the defenders' new boats are built.

Team New Zealand rig co-ordinator Steve Wilson said the mast was different from the normal America's Cup rigs.

"Given that we made probably the biggest developments in rig design in the last cup, it's logical that we are pushing the design envelope," he said.

"As you can understand, the rule governing the mast is fairly benign, and this is within the rules. It's a package of development.

"We've had a few minor teething problems with it, but we're ready to test it now."

A wing mast is flatter than a conventional round mast and is more often found on multihull yachts. It is shaped for aerodynamics and efficiency.

Wilson said he could not confirm nor deny the rumour that a rotating mast was also planned for the new defender yachts.

"We're going to test this one first as much as we can before we finalise the building of the second mast."