Rivals a gulf of work apart

An American syndicate highlights the range of readiness among contenders, writes SUZANNE McFADDEN.

America True, the first of the new-generation America's Cup yachts to sail in Auckland, had the Hauraki Gulf to herself yesterday.

There were no rival boats jousting for water space, no spies shadowing her every move. Two fishermen were the only witnesses to the bright yellow boat's test on the America's Cup course.

The new True yacht, which had its first taste of sea salt a week ago, can expect to have free reign of the gulf for at least another month.

The rest of the challengers are still building their boats for the start of racing in mid-October, or have chosen to test them in warmer home waters.

But this co-ed challenge from the San Francisco Yacht Club decided they were better off risking sailing in Auckland's unpredictable winter winds.

Yesterday the True team proved the doubters wrong.

Helmsman John Cutler, one of the many Kiwis in the team, took a small crew out for a perfect mid-winter's day sail.

"It was a beautiful day - the wind went from 5 knots to 30 knots, which is ideal for us," he said.

"Sure, the weather will get worse, and there will be quite a few days where we'll be blown off the water.

"But October is the windiest month. I think the others are going to find it tough turning up late and trying to get their boats set up for racing when they probably won't be able to get out on the water.

"We would rather shake all the bugs out now."

It was Cutler's first venture out in the new boat, which was built in the mountains near Lake Tahoe, California, with some technical input from Nasa.

He was driving the winning Dutch boat in the Admiral's Cup in England when America True was launched last week.

Twelve or 13 challengers are expected to turn up at the start line of the Louis Vuitton series on October 18. This Sunday is the final deadline for syndicates to enter - they must have a sail number for a racing boat and an address where they will set up home in Auckland.

So far, 12 have registered their entries, but there has been no word from the Russians, the British and the Chinese.