Yachting: Challengers want more crew

By SUZANNE McFADDEN

A handful of America's Cup challengers have sent Santa a Christmas wish-list asking for more crew.

But they might have to wait until the new millennium before the contentious issue of sailors switching syndicates is resolved.

AmericaOne are at the top of the list, with a request for at least five of the Young Australia crew to join their team. The Australians could not sail in a race for the Americans, but skipper Paul Cayard wants to know if they can crew on the "B" boat in test sessions.

Cayard would like to have Young Australia skipper James Spithill drive the practice boat, the well-used USA49, with the new USA61 about to make its debut in the semifinals of the Louis Vuitton Cup series starting on January 2.

"We would like to take on some of the kids from Young Australia. They're really keen kids who seem to be in the event for all the right reasons," he said.

A number of syndicates have gone to the America's Cup Challengers Association and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron asking for clearance to employ people and buy assets from campaigns who have been eliminated from the regatta.

If they cannot agree, the matter will go to the arbitration panel for a ruling.

"As usual with the America's Cup, there's a difference of opinion on who's eligible or who's not. It's a long process and time's a-wasting," Cayard said.

"Team New Zealand brought the restrictions in this time to stop someone developing an all-star team. It would be to the advantage of Team New Zealand to stall us on this one."

While the team's legal-eagles pore over the protocol, the crews carry on sailing right up until Christmas Day. Most syndicates are taking only two days off over the festive season - the six challengers still have plenty of work to do on their boats before the semifinals.

Nippon are waiting to see what the weather does before they decide when to celebrate, while AmericaOne are having a barbecue on an island in the Hauraki Gulf for their Christmas dinner.

The three one-boat semifinalists - America True, Stars & Stripes and Le Defi France - have all made changes to their boats in the past week.

Many of the sailors whose run in the America's Cup is now over are sticking around town.

Young America's sailors will be in Auckland until at least New Year's Day. They have offered their services as a tune-up partner to the remaining challengers, but have still to get a positive response from anyone.

Their rebuilt boat USA53 - the one that snapped in half - should be back in the water tomorrow.

The New Yorkers plan to keep their base operating until they know where the next Cup will be raced., as do the Spanish and the Swiss. The Young Australians have left for home.

Most of the multi-national Abracadabra crew will be home - wherever that may be - for Christmas, but their base will still operate until mid-January.