Yachting: Eyes already on Auckland 2003

By SUZANNE McFADDEN

As Team New Zealand tighten their grip on the Auld Mug, future challengers - and even defenders - are rising to the surface.

But rival Kiwi defence campaigns can pretty much forget it: Team New Zealand will probably remain sole defenders of the America's Cup.

Wellington yacht club Royal Port Nicholson is already looking for overseas dollars to fund a defender syndicate. But it is probably in vain.

Even old foe Dennis Conner, a veteran of eight Cup campaigns, has voiced his wish to defend for New Zealand in three years' time now that he has residency.

Team New Zealand will not talk about any future plans until their fate in this Cup is determined.

But their decision not to have defender trials for the 2000 Cup appears to be paying dividends.

Chris Dickson would be the most likely contender to sail a rival Kiwi boat against Team New Zealand, but even he does not see it happening.

"It's a commercial reality. Team New Zealand have a monopoly on the America's Cup business in New Zealand, and they don't look like they are going to give it up," said Dickson, a three-time challenger. "It's just human nature to keep it to themselves.

"I'm not bitching or moaning about it - it's reality. Now they control the Cup, it isn't surprising that they are preventing real competition."

Prada are not yet waving the white flag, but they are already talking about coming back to Auckland in 2003 for the next America's Cup.

Word has it that Prada head Patrizio Bertelli has a banner ready to fly from the docks reading "Arrividerci Auckland" - see you again.

The feeling is that if Team New Zealand successfully defend this time, Prada will be the Challenger of Record for the next Cup.

Three groups in Australia are already talking about forming syndicates.

Veteran Syd Fischer, who brought Young Australia here last year, has promised to do it again.

The other two Sydney-based groups are keeping anonymous, but have been in Auckland for the past week checking facilities.

Nippon skipper Peter Gilmour, the former world No 1 matchracer, is returning home to live in Perth and could be convinced to sail for Australia again.

Paul Cayard is heading back to the United States to gauge support for another AmericaOne syndicate.

If the regatta is in Auckland again, he says he will be sailing here with his two boats in November this year.

The French, Japanese and Spanish have talked publicly of returning to the Cup, while America True backer Chris Coffin has pledged his support for another try.

The British failed to clear the final financial hurdle to get here this time, but top young matchracer Andy Green is keen to reignite interest in the original home of the Auld Mug. He will be sailing Chris Dickson's old cup boat Tag Heuer in Britain over the summer.