Former skipper Dean Barker has revealed he had 'mixed emotions' when watching Team New Zealand win the America's Cup last week.
Barker led the Emirates Team New Zealand campaigns in 2003, 2007 and 2013 before leaving the syndicate to join SoftBank Team Japan for the recent America's Cup in Bermuda.
Team Japan reached the Louis Vuitton Cup semifinals before giving up a 3-1 lead to lose to Swedish crew Artemis. Team New Zealand defeated Artemis in the Louis Vuitton Cup finals before claiming the America's Cup from Oracle Team USA, winning the final regatta 7-1.
Barker was skipper of Team New Zealand at the 2013 America's Cup in San Francisco in 2013 when the team gave up an 8-1 lead over Oracle Team USA.
Writing on the Softbank Team Japan website, Barker said he has no regrets about leaving Team New Zealand and says it will be amazing to have the event back in New Zealand.