Editorial: Young crew keeps team on right tack

The smokescreens have lifted and the footloose have fled. What then is the prognosis for the America's Cup in 2003? Obviously, Team New Zealand's chances of again beating yachting's finest diminished with every defection from its ranks.

When one-third of the crew and a key designer leave, it is pointless to deny the damage done. Paradoxically, however, this will simply add spice to an America's Cup regatta that is likely make last summer's racing seem almost like a bland entree.

Expect, for example, patriotism to be propelled to an even higher pitch. This might seem unlikely at the moment. A sour aftertaste and sense of disdain remain following the departure of Russell Coutts, Brad Butterworth and other assorted crewmen. But that will inevitably dull, to be replaced by an admiration and backing for those, often young, crew members who chose to stay or grasped the opportunity to come aboard. Our depth of support will surely grow as we recognise that from a position of overwhelming strength, Team New Zealand now faces an uphill battle.

Arrayed against them will be the McCaws, the Ellisons, the Bertarellis, and the huge wealth which drained so much of this country's yachting talent. This time, there will be no sense of superiority, and none of the guilt felt by some as Prada faced a frightful thrashing. This time, a nation accustomed to being the underdog in sporting confrontations can again relish that role.

Before the main event, however, there will be a challengers' series of rare intensity. The riches underpinning the leading contenders in the Louis Vuitton Cup will be a far cry from the cash-strapped status of many of last year's entrants. As Sir Peter Blake observed recently, the $50 million which Team New Zealand spent defending the cup then is like ice-cream money for the new breed of backers. The relatively modest means of the defender, coupled with the prestige of the America's Cup, have proved an irresistable lure to this batch of billionaires. And where they go, the glitterati will follow, and the Auckland and New Zealand economies will benefit.

Those who have jumped ship from Team New Zealand will, of course, be leading crewmen on the Bertarelli, McCaw and Ellison boats. They can, and should, receive a hot reception. If it is not quite the rotten tomatoes that Coutts anticipates, it might well equate to the verbal lashing traditionally accorded the English soccer player who, having transferred for better pay, returns to play his former club. That aside, however, the New Zealanders' presence will add a new dimension to the Louis Vuitton Cup.

Those, such as Craig Monk, who say they missed the intensity of the challengers' series, will find themselves in a contest bankrolled by men used to winning when the stakes are high.

New Zealanders will, in all likelihood, again favour the elegant and unfailingly polite Francesco de Angelis. We have, after all, made him an honorary officer of the NZ Order of Merit. And it is a huge point in his favour that he has managed to put his Prada crew together without finding it necessary to raid Team New Zealand's talent locker.

It is a considerable plus for Team New Zealand that Sir Peter Blake is back as a part-time adviser. His part in keeping afloat a defence that could have become extremely fractious is now recognised. Sir Peter cautions that the defenders will likely need $20 million more than their last budget to keep pace with the challengers and to reward those who have stayed loyal. He suggests a national lottery to boost the coffers.

While the aftertaste of the defections lingers, and yachting is not everybody's favourite flavour, it may be wise to postpone such ventures. But as the months pass, our enthusiasm and backing is sure to rise. In 1986, the Baby Blacks triumphed over daunting odds; in 2003, we will expect the same of the tyros of Team New Zealand.

Team NZ: who's in, who's out

America's Cup feature