Team Alinghi: Michel Bonnefous
Michel Bonnefous is a key member of the Alinghi troika that started a syndicate from scratch and turned the team into the America's Cup challenger.
The campaign's executive director has played a pivotal role in the syndicate, working alongside skipper Russell Coutts and syndicate head Ernesto Bertarelli.
Because the Swiss billionaire is often preoccupied by his pharmaceutical business, many of the decisions have been left to Bonnefous and Coutts.
A passionate sailor, mainly on Lake Geneva, 38-year-old Bonnefous had a varied career before Alinghi, working in food science and founding a film company.
Bonnefous could barely restrain his delight at Switzerland winning the challengers' series. "This is a historic moment for our team, our country and the America's Cup because it is the first time a landlocked country has taken part in this challenge.
"We're very proud of this."
Team NZ: Ross Blackman
Ross Blackman says a friendship spanning decades pulled him back into Team New Zealand's arms three years ago - even though he had sworn his America's Cup days were over.
Tom Schnackenberg asked Blackman to step in as chief executive, as the America's Cup holders struggled to survive the mass exodus from their first defence.
For Blackman there was only one answer.
"When Tom phoned, I couldn't say no," he said.
Blackman had been involved in managing both the 1988 and 1995 Cup campaigns. A Dunedin-born yachtie, he moved to Sydney, then Christchurch and Canada as a sail-maker.
With Schnackenberg, he brought the North Sails sail-making franchise to New Zealand.
After stints cruising the Pacific, playing guitar at the Waitangi Hotel and setting up a marine company, he became involved with the Big Boat campaign.
"We are committed to making sure history does repeat itself," he says.
nzherald.co.nz/americascup
Racing schedule and results
<i>Head to head:</i> The chairmen
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