French sailor 'driven just by rivalry'

By HELEN TUNNAH

Bertrand Pace, the Frenchman sailing with Team New Zealand, could strengthen the Black Boat's afterguard because he will want to beat Russell Coutts and Brad Butterworth out of intense sailing rivalry - and not patriotism.

Xavier de Lesquen, general manager of Pace's old team Le Defi, said Pace would be free of the bitterness many in Team New Zealand feel towards their former crew, who quit three years ago to lead the big-budget Alinghi into the America's Cup finals.

"What he can give to Team New Zealand is the fact that he has no feeling about his competitor, Coutts and Butterworth. He only wants to beat them," said de Lesquen.

"There is not this common history which is quite complicated for New Zealand people."

Nicknamed "the little general", Pace stepped on to NZL82 yesterday to replace tactician Hamish Pepper after the New Zealanders slumped to 0-3 down against Alinghi in their bid to retain the America's Cup.

Alinghi need just two more wins to take the trophy to Switzerland, while Team New Zealand must win five of the last six races.

Pace, 41, would have become the first Frenchman to sail in an America's Cup match yesterday, but the fourth race was postponed because of unstable winds. Weather permitting, his debut will now be tomorrow.

The decision by young skipper Dean Barker to drop Pepper, his long-time sailing friend, would not have been easy as they have sailed together since their school days.

But Barker was forced to after tactical mistakes cost Team New Zealand the second and third races.

Pace was not available yesterday but syndicate head Tom Schnackenberg said Pace would bring considerable experience to the afterguard and had at times sailed as tactician on the backup boat.

"It'll be Dean sailing the yacht and Bertrand talking in his ear."

Pace is no stranger to the controversy that has dogged Coutts, Butterworth and the four other former Team New Zealand crew on the Alinghi boat.

Born in Dunkirk, he sailed in four French challenges, helming Le Defi's boat 6 Sens to the 2000 challenger semifinals, but was criticised at home for accepting Barker's invitation to join Team New Zealand.

De Lesquen said that Pace had been missed "but it's a professional sport".

"After 2000 we were financially weak compared to the newcomers and other teams, so we were not able to keep some of our key people. Bertrand was one of them."

He said yesterday it was a "big pleasure" to see Pace, a former world matchracing champion and aggressive starter, in the America's Cup.

"It is a very big decision for New Zealand.

"What we know from Bertrand is he is a fantastic match-racer. Bertrand is an incredible man in a difficult situation.

"When everything is difficult he is very, very good and that is where he is at the best of his game."