Editorial: More yachties where they came from

Just 10 weeks ago, New Zealanders were applauding the teamwork and unity of purpose that underpinned the overwhelmingly successful defence of the America's Cup. At the victory parade, the admiration became mutual when Russell Coutts described the public's enthusiasm as the crucial element in Team New Zealand's success.

Yesterday, the same man broke a nation's heart when it was announced that he and Brad Butterworth were jumping ship. Rather than organising New Zealand's next defence, they will apparently lead an America's Cup challenge from a landlocked nation virtually devoid of yachting tradition. Every man, it is often said, has his price. For Coutts, it was the millions dangled by a Swiss pharmaceutical billionaire.

In retrospect, perhaps, we should not be too surprised. Cracks and tensions within Team New Zealand were revealed even before it had sailed a race in anger. Disputes flared between the team's management, headed by Sir Peter Blake, and the sailors, some of them about money. The Herald was widely criticised when it published confirmation of these disagreements from Butterworth and Sir Peter.

Perhaps, in retrospect, a clearer perspective of the depth of that disharmony might have prepared us better for yesterday's bombshell. Perhaps we should also have read more into the dispute between Sir Peter's organisation and Coutts' group over the transfer of the assets of Team New Zealand. Again, the two factions were reluctant to inform the public what was going on.

Coutts, the helmsman of the yachts that won and then defended the Cup, was obviously soured by the process and a planned new team structure. What part the flaws in the transfer process, real and imagined, played in his decision, and what part the offer of millions played, only his conscience can answer.

We were, of course, diverted by the spectacle of supposedly huge offers from American syndicates to the midshipmen and petty officers of Team New Zealand. Never did we suspect that the admiral of the fleet and his flag captain were about to be poached. Realistic words from Dean Barker, the new, young helmsman who sailed the final race against Prada, suggested we should be ready to accept the loss of some of the crew. For men of lower status, profile and earning power, hard cash is always more likely to outweigh loyalty and national pride. For the likes of Coutts and Butterworth to succumb - thereby earning the ire of a nation - seemed almost incomprehensible. It was not as if the pair would not have done well financially by staying loyal.

The defections leave the organisation of our next America's Cup defence verging on the shambolic. Our yachting riches, so obviously on display in Team New Zealand's backup crew, mean that, in most instances, sailors can be replaced relatively well. The knowledge that Coutts and Butterworth inherited from Sir Peter's outstanding onshore organisation is another matter altogether. A heavy burden has been thrust upon Tom Schnackenberg, the survivor of the Coutts triumvirate.

However, if, as Coutts suggested, public enthusiasm is the crucial element for success - more so even than vision, design and yachting skill - there need not be utter despondency. The public can be counted upon to remain loyal. Now the country's yachtsmen must show, on and off the water, that there are more where Coutts and Butterworth came from.