KEY POINTS:
Now the watching and waiting starts. The America's Cup game of 'who goes to which syndicate' is under way with suggestions that Team New Zealand design co-ordinator Andy Claughton may be considering a shift.
Claughton, who is English, may join the new British Origin challenge, although the latest
announcement that new and bigger boats will have to be built for the 33rd America's Cup may offer a design challenge to keep him at Team New Zealand.
He is a key figure - as design co-ordinator Claughton manages the design process, construction schedules and interaction between design and sailing teams. Claughton declined to comment yesterday.
Meanwhile, there are other rumours, although less weighty, that highly rated Luna Rossa helmsman James Spithill could go to Alinghi.
Both are significant shifts - if true.
Rumour and disinformation abound and the 'syndicate waltz' is a slow dance.
Team members most sought in the early stages are designers.
According to the America's Cup protocol released yesterday, designers cannot jump from one team to another after August 31.
Claughton has been involved with Team NZ from the first challenge at Fremantle in 1987. He was involved in 2003 and this year managed Team New Zealand's design programme.
If Claughton goes, he will likely be the second Team New Zealand member to head for Origin, after highly talented back-up skipper Ben Ainslie.
A spokesman for Origin would not confirm or deny any shift by Claughton. Announcements are expected in September, when contracts are generally run out and after people have been through the sensitive negotiating phase while they are still under contract to others.
Claughton will be a leading figure in the next Cup, wherever he is. Design will be an important factor with the new boats 90 feet (27.7m), much bigger than the current 80 feet (24m).
Alinghi skipper Brad Butterworth said the new boats would be harder to sail, with less reliance on technology and more on the athleticism of the crew; plus a new class would allow some creative design scope - something missing as the current Cup yacht class neared the end of its evolution. Butterworth said the new boats would 'open up' the Cup to new syndicates.
All challengers will need a new boat and may be allowed only one - meaning the designers need to get it right first time.
When sailors are considering offers, the first question they often ask is: 'Who's in your design team?'
If the answer is not to their liking, they will often look elsewhere. It's the same with designers; they will often look to see who is joining the sailing team before they commit.
Butterworth has indicated he and the rest of the famous Alinghi Kiwi 'tight five' (Murray Jones, Simon Daubney, Dean Phipps and Warwick Fleury) will remain with the syndicate. That has quelled speculation they may jump to join Russell Coutts at BMW Oracle - if it is confirmed that Coutts will soon sign a contract there.
Spithill's linking with Alinghi is intriguing but it is just a rumour at this stage.
The 28-year-old Australian was one of the stars of the Louis Vuitton but it would be a big call to take him on board Alinghi. American Ed Baird helmed the boat to victory, although there were whispers beforehand Butterworth had misgivings over his helmsmen, Baird and Peter Holmberg.
Since winning, Butterworth has been full of praise for Baird.
The other key sailor yet to declare his plans is American Paul Cayard, who was technical adviser to Spanish challengers Desafio Espanol in this regatta. Cayard says he has been offered positions on and off the water but it is not yet known if that is with the Spanish again or with the Italians, for whom he raced in 1992.
Cayard has not won the Cup in five attempts but is still a noted sailor, having won seven world championships. He was the first American skipper to win the round the world yacht race and has sailed at two Olympics.
