Williams is glad to be back with Team NZ

One of the most experienced sailors in Team New Zealand, Erle Williams is back competing after stints with Nippon and Team Dennis Conner.

"It is great to be back," he says. "When I was with other syndicates I always looked at Team New Zealand and envied those there.

"Team New Zealand are a very tight team; the Kiwis operate differently to everyone else."

Starting out at the Howick Sailing Club, Williams worked his way up the grades before embarking on the international scene.

"I got into keel boats quite early and started sailing internationally when I was 16."

In 30 years of sailing Williams has competed in every major fleet and match-racing event and has clocked up 320,000km of ocean racing, including two Whitbread events.

He sat out the last America's Cup, opting to concentrate on a series of fleet and match racing events.

Williams' focus is now on helping Team New Zealand defend the cup in February.

"It is an exciting time. We have our two new boats and a whole lot of new parts. We have done a lot of work to get to this point."

Looking at Team NZ's possible opponents, Williams says that, as a group, the challengers are probably not as strong as first thought.

"It was thought five or so would be really strong, but as it has turned out there is really only two or three."

nzherald.co.nz/americascup

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