Yachting: Americans tell NZ: we won't help you

By Suzanne McFadden

Young America won't sail for the America's Cup - and they don't want to sail against the America's Cup defenders Team New Zealand.

The crestfallen Young Americans are sticking around Auckland, even though their racing days are over.

Team New Zealand tactician Brad Butterworth said Young America had been invited to sail their two black boats against New Zealand's two black boats in a tune-up race for the Kiwis.

But the answer came back: "no."

It appears that the New Yorkers are sticking to the unspoken agreement between the challengers that they would not sail with the defender in the build-up to the Cup match in February 2000.

Young America skipper Ed Baird, whose job it was to help Team New Zealand to tune up for the 1995 America's Cup, is more likely to take one of his boats out against one of the six remaining challengers.

"We are here as the Challenger of Record, so if there is some way we can help the challengers be stronger, it might make sense," he said.

Three of the six semifinalists are one-boat campaigns - America True, Le Defi France and Stars & Stripes - who would like to have someone to spar with.

The French have said they are keen to spend a few days before the semifinals start on January 2 sailing against the other two solo teams once they have modified their boat.

Team Dennis Conner have made good friends with their village neighbours, America True.

Young America are planning to stick around town for a while.

USA53, the boat that almost sunk on the Hauraki Gulf last month, has arrived back at their Halsey St base ready to sail again.

Rebuilt after snapping in half, USA53 will be dipped back into the sea in the next few days. The Young America crew are likely to sail it for most of next week.

"We want to make sure it's sound," Baird said. "We are going to finish some of the projects that were well underway - we have a lot to do."

Young America plan to leave both their boats in Auckland until the end of the Cup.

If Team New Zealand successfully defend the Auld Mug, the Young Americans will come back and use the boats as trialhorses for their next attempt.

Baird said he hoped that would not be too far into the future.

"We hope we can talk everyone into racing the next America's Cup in two years' time instead of three, so we can be back sooner," he said.

Baird described this regatta - his first as a sailor - as very difficult, but spectacular.

"We are frustrated and disappointed. But in the end this is a sailboat race and we were beaten," he said.

"It's going to be a very strong event for history."

The Australians will be on their way home this weekend with their two boats in tow.

They chose to miss their final race to start packing as they had to vacate their base, the floating crane Hikinui, before the end of the week.