Team NZ defectors sail into confusion

As more Team New Zealand defectors jetted off to a new future yesterday, a rumour ran wild that the Seattle America's Cup syndicate they headed for had collapsed.

Last night no one could say if billionaire Craig McCaw had pulled the plug on the challenge - which has plundered at least eight Team NZ crew - or whether it was a typical case of mischief-making by rival American syndicates.

But the Kiwi sailors are being warned that they cannot expect to get their old jobs back if it does not work out.

It proved impossible yesterday to question the syndicate, who have tried to stay anonymous while they raid the Kiwi defence. McCaw, a sailing enthusiast and telecommunications billionaire, has never spoken publicly about the campaign.

But a core bunch of Team NZ members, from sailors to designers, are still expecting to meet McCaw in Seattle this weekend supposedly to sign contracts.

If speculation becomes fact and McCaw decides not to continue with his challenge, the jobless crew may consider returning home.

Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker, however, made it clear yesterday that the crewmen could not walk straight back on board as if nothing had happened.

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

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