By JULIE ASH
Auckland helmsman Gavin Brady has been in talks with Oracle boss Chris Dickson, but says as far as his sailing future is concerned he is keeping his options open.
Brady, who was backup helmsman for Prada in the last cup, said that although he would be keen to compete in another event, he was waiting for the right position.
"I want to make sure if I sign up with someone that it is in a role I am happy with."
Brady said he had spoken to Dickson, Oracle's chief executive, but had not signed with the American syndicate.
Brady was tactician on Dickson's Tag Heuer in 1995 and has sailed with him several times since.
"I am pretty good mates with Chris, we have sailed together a bit. We have talked and that is really the stage where a lot of guys are at.
"With the venue unknown, and with Alinghi changing the residency clause, there is not such a big hurry to sign guys up.
"There is probably more urgency to sign designers, as once they sign with a team they cannot change syndicates."
In the past, sailors have been required to spend a certain amount of time living in the country their syndicate represents. However, when Alinghi revised the cup protocol the residency clause was scrapped.
Brady, who finished second in last month's Congressional Cup, said securing an America's Cup job was only one of several options.
"With the cup so far away, there's the Olympics and the Volvo Ocean race, which looks pretty exciting with the bigger boats.
"I just want to have some fun and get into some other projects."
The 29-year-old has teamed up with former OneWorld grinder Craig Monk in the Star class, and together they hope to qualify for the Olympics.
The pair will compete in the first of the European regattas in Holland next week, and then Keil week in the German port next month.
Brady will compete in the Transpac Los Angeles to Honolulu race in July.
Teaming up with fellow Kiwis Sean Clarkson, Kevin Harrap, Jamie Gale, Jon Gundersen and Peter Thomas, Brady will race on Hong Kong entry Beau Geste, owned by Karl Kwok.
The Transpac 52 class yacht was built in Tauranga and designed by American-based New Zealand designer Bruce Farr.
The yacht was launched last week and will be shipped to San Francisco on Saturday.
Further reading: nzherald.co.nz/americascup
Brady keeping his options open for next Cup job
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