Schnackenberg moves urgently to stem tide

By SUZANNE McFADDEN

A hardcore of Team New Zealand sailors have pledged their loyalty to the next America's Cup defence, but there are serious concerns that the defection of their leaders could open the floodgates.

The new Team NZ are relying on a pile of envelopes on the table this week to stop the flow of crew losses to rival Cup syndicates.

Three more sailors appear to be on their way to joining Russell Coutts and Brad Butterworth - two-thirds of the team leadership - at a European syndicate bankrolled by Swiss billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli.

But the invasion of campaigns from moguls such as the world's richest man, Larry Ellison, American phone billionaire Craig McCaw and Prada head Patrizio Bertelli could further injure the New Zealand camp.

Last night, there were probably more Kiwi sailors and designers saying "don't know" than whether they would stay or go.

New leader Tom Schnackenberg has been toiling over the weekend to put together contract offers to the remaining team - especially those teetering.

"We're still working on how much we can afford," said Schnackenberg, who has vowed to have figures to the crew before Friday.

"We'll tell them to stop by and pick up an envelope with an offer in it."

Simon Daubney, Warwick Fleury and Murray Jones are the three sailors likely to follow their old friends to Switzerland. All three were in Europe last night.

Team NZ will fight to keep Jones, but they are virtually resigned to losing the other two.

Others considering their options include bowman Dean Phipps, a long-time crewman for Coutts. But his main offer is from the United States.

Phipps said he had made it clear to Team NZ two months ago that he was looking for a new challenge.

"The frustrating part for me was why things were taking so long," he said. "We couldn't hang out for months waiting to see if anything was going to happen.

"But I'm not ruling out staying. I can see some positive things will come out of all this."

Phipps' crewmate on the bow of the black boat, Joe Allen, last night said he would stay with Team NZ - but did not know how many would do the same.

"The problem we have now is how many will go. I don't think it's started," he said.

"We've all had the big offers, but I wouldn't do it. I sailed with the Japanese in the early days and it was horrible being in a different country."

Phipps, however, expects seven or eight defections.

"A couple of weeks ago people were saying 20, but my feeling is that it won't be too bad," he said.

"The depth within Team NZ is stronger than a lot of people think."

There is still ill-feeling in the camp. Tactician Rick Dodson, who says he will stay, has called Coutts and Butterworth "traitors."

Most younger members of the crew, who have sailed with new skipper Dean Barker, are expected to remain, with chances opening up on the A boat. Barker and four other crew left yesterday for the world matchracing championships in Croatia - on the same plane as Jones.

There are few indications whether the design team will stay together. Veteran Laurie Davidson is in hospital after knee surgery, while Mike Drummond would not comment on his future.

But American Clay Oliver, who was a principal designer with Davidson, said the changes would make it "more exciting and challenging."

Oliver has had offers from four American syndicates and approaches from Europe, but is ignoring them until hearing from the new Team NZ.