Figures from mythology carry the hopes of Nippon

By Suzanne McFadden

A three-headed, six-armed warrior and a fleet-footed god carry the hopes of the Japanese in their third attempt to win the America's Cup.

Japan's Nippon Challenge launched their two new cup boats in Gamagori this week - both with formidable nicknames.

The first boat, JPN44, will be known by the crew as Asura - an ancient Indian warrior god.

"It matches JPN44's characteristics of distinguished physical ability and enduring strength even in the high wind range," explains the Nippon campaign.

Boat two, JPN52, is called Idaten - a god of war with six faces, 12 arms and fast legs, who rides on a peacock and fights with spears.

"We have chosen the name Idaten since it matches the boat's brilliant all-round nature and its speed."

Asura and Idaten were names chosen from 2500 ideas from the Japanese public. The winning entry came from a copywriter in Tokyo.

The day after the launch on Tuesday, the two boats were sailing off Gamagori, 300km south-west of Tokyo, where the Nippon Challenge has been based for 11 years.

Among the guests at the launch on Marine Day holiday in Japan was Prince Takamado, the honorary president of the campaign.

But are the boats as fast and strong as their namesakes?

At the head of the design team is Professor Hideaki Miyata, from the University of Tokyo's school of engineering. Within his team are graduate students from his school.

Nippon, who have had campaigns in the last two cup regattas, have kept a very low profile this time. With the downturn in the Asian economy, the syndicate initially struggled to find the same funding as they had in past years.

But they have a crew which has blossomed under the guidance of Australian-born skipper Peter Gilmour, who is ranked No 1 in matchracing in the world.

Last week Gilmour and his Nippon crew won the Swedish Match Cup, beating fellow cup skippers Ed Baird and Russell Coutts. Next month they are favourites to win the world championships in Denmark.

While they're away, the boats will be shipped to New Zealand. The team plan to set up base in Auckland in the first week of September - around the same time as most of their village neighbours move in.

"It's a lot different from last time in San Diego when we set up camp six or so months before," said campaign director Emili Miura.

"Because the seasons are so different in New Zealand and Japan, we have decided to stay here and train as much as we can."

There are, of course, New Zealanders involved. Chris Main is a trimmer in the crew, helped by Thames sailmaker David Rolfe, while Rodney Ardern is a back-up helmsman and shore boss.