Fischer not rushing into cup challenge

SYDNEY - Veteran Australian yachtsman Syd Fischer is unconcerned he has not yet built a yacht, named a skipper, secured a mooring or found a major financial backer for his America's Cup campaign in Auckland later this year.

While six syndicates are already in Auckland preparing for the Louis Vuitton Cup challengers' series which starts in October, the sole Australian entry has not yet decided on a design.

"We're getting ready to build a boat but we haven't started yet," Fischer said.

"It should be finished by mid-year and we'll be on the water in Auckland in late July."

Asked if he was cutting it fine, Fischer boomed: "Bullshit."

Fischer, who has been involved in four previous America's Cup campaigns either as a sailor or a syndicate head, has been using his 1995 challenger Sydney `95 to do some testing ahead of the new boat being built.

Fischer said he would name a skipper and crew for his challenge later in the year.

Fischer was sure he would secure a home for his syndicate in Auckland after missing out on a berth in the Viaduct Basin area.

He refused to pay a deposit for a mooring in the Viaduct Basin, which has since been sold out, but believed he would find a spot somewhere at a reasonable price.

"The last time I leased space was at San Diego and you wouldn't get a bigger rip-off place than that, but Auckland leaves them for dead.

"Something will come up nearer the day when all the people renting space there find out it's not going to be the bonanza they thought it would be and someone will have some common sense." - NZPA