Yachting: Four years and nine months set the nerves a-jangling

By SUZANNE McFADDEN

You bet they're nervous.

It's been four years and nine months since Team New Zealand started plotting their strategy to become the first non-American country to keep hold of the America's Cup.

Today's the day - if they haven't got it right by now, with their boat, their crew, their sails, and their attitude, then it's too late.

Keen observers read the faraway faces and brusque responses of Team New Zealand's hierarchy yesterday as pure nervousness.

There was an uneasy tone set quickly in the pre-match press conference. Team New Zealand skipper Russell Coutts snarled at an Italian journalist who asked about an alleged rift in the camp.

"That's a ridiculous question - move on."

Coutts, who has hidden himself from the public eye for a fortnight, softened later and admitted to a little natural tension in the camp.

"We'll be nervous tomorrow. Some of the crew react differently to it. But I've been around," he said.

There has to be some degree of fear in the Team New Zealand crew on the tow-out this morning. It is their first honest-to-goodness race in almost five years, while Prada are now veterans of 48 races over the last four months against mostly competitive challengers.

You have to take the Kiwis' word when they say they have no idea how fast they are compared to the Italians, despite all the hi-tech computers and laser guns they have at their disposal.

"We are confident we've made forward steps in terms of the design of the boat and the configuration we're in," said tactician Brad Butterworth.

"But we just don't know. We will know on Sunday night after a couple of races."

There have been a few barbs thrown at the Kiwis during the week from their old workmate, Prada designer Doug Peterson, questioning the abilities of their mysterious black boat.

Said Butterworth: "Sure, it creates doubt. But we wouldn't be human if we didn't have doubts."

Prada looked a lot more comfortable as they sat before the world's yachting media yesterday - but they've had a lot more practice.

Yet neither camp wanted to assume the favourite or underdog positions. Coutts thought both teams were even, saying it would come down to the team who made the most of their chances.

Prada skipper Francesco de Angelis said he would be guessing if he had to pick a favourite. "There is a great team that has won this Cup before and there is a team that is challenging and that is all."