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VALENCIA - Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton wants another shot at lifting yachting's America's Cup.
Team NZ's latest campaign ended today in a heart-breaking defeat in race seven, when a bad wave they hit just out from the finish line off Valencia allowed Swiss defenders Alinghi to sneak past.
The final margin was just one second, but enough to allow Alinghi to complete a 5-2 scoreline and ensure the Cup stayed in Europe.
"I've put my name forward and said I would run another challenge and we'll take if from there," Dalton said.
Hired as managing director after Team NZ's disastrous defence in 2003, when they lost 0-5 to Alinghi in Auckland, Dalton said he was proud of what the syndicate had achieved over the past four years.
"I'm really proud of the guys," he said.
"They've done an amazing job. They've worked hard and they're committed. There's a huge unity within the Kiwi culture of the place that has come through."
Dalton said the feeling on NZL92 after crossing the line was flat because his team had come to Spain not to take part but to return the Cup to Auckland.
"We're incredibly disappointed," he said.
"Right now, it's like your heart has been dug out with a spoon."
Yet another dramatic contest in an incident-packed regatta produced five clear lead changes, with the New Zealanders charging home on the final leg as the wind swung right around and crews hoisted jibs.
The wind change produced chaos on SUI100, which hit a flat patch and had its spinnaker caught under the hull on the drop.
However, Team NZ's need to relieve themselves of a penalty proved decisive and they were passed just metres from the finish line.
After two days of no action on the water, with a postponement because of lack of wind followed by a scheduled rest day, the conditions this afternoon were great for sailing, with a sea breeze of about 15 knots at start time.
The start was even, with both boats on starboard tack and Team NZ to leeward.
The early drag race out to the left was neck-and-neck, before SUI100 helmsman Ed Baird tacked away. NZL92 skipper Dean Barker followed suit and there was another speed test, with Team NZ edging marginally ahead.
When Alinghi came back for the first cross, Team NZ, on port tack, couldn't quite pass in front, but were able to force the Swiss away.
Late in the leg, during another drag race out to the left, Alinghi were able to survive in the windward position and push Team NZ out to the layline.
When the crews tacked back and approached the top mark, the Swiss managed to establish an inside overlap and rounded 7sec ahead.
In the first downwind run, Barker's crew produced some superb work, getting close enough to affect the opposition's air.
Three-quarters of the way down the leg, NZL92 rolled over SUI100 to hit the front again.
As in race six, when SUI100 grabbed the decisive lead on the third leg, Team NZ again elected to round the left-hand gate, while the Swiss rounded the right.
As in that race, Team NZ tacked back to cover but Alinghi again got some better breeze on the right-hand side.
Up the beat, SUI100 skipper and tactician Brad Butterworth initiated a tacking duel, making small gains with each manoeuvre.
When the boats settled down to another drag race out to the left, the Swiss remained just behind but with starboard advantage if Team NZ tacked back.
Just out from the mark, in a move that Butterworth had called, Alinghi hunted Team NZ, who, after tacking on the layline, bore away to go under SUI100's stern.
But the Swiss had to alter course to avoid a collision, flew a protest flag and had the umpires rule in their favour.
Team NZ rounded the mark 12sec behind and with penalty to get rid off.
Alinghi appeared to be heading for a comfortable victory before the closest cup match in 24 years produced its stunning finale.
- NZPA
