Yachting: NZ boats duel for first time

By Terry Maddaford

Brad Butterworth reckons even he finds it hard to tell the difference between Team New Zealand's two new America's Cup boats.

He sees differently shaped bows, but little else.

But by the time the crucial decision is made on whether NZL57, with her rounded bow, or NZL 60, with a slightly snubbed bow, will defend the Auld Mug, Team New Zealand tactician Butterworth is confident one or other will have proved itself as the yacht for the job.

While the focus yesterday was on the opening rounds of the Louis Vuitton challenger's series, NZL60 was out on the Hauraki Gulf for the first time, joined by the only slightly older NZL57 on the first of many, many days of testing and racing against each other.

Costing "the thick end of $3 million each," there is no room for error.

Butterworth was on board the older boat but sensed there was very little difference in the speed of the two in the light to moderate winds. Russell Coutts was on NZL 60.

"I could not say today which boat will be called on to defend the America's Cup," Butterworth said. "They seem very similar."

Out of the water, with skirts removed to expose their appendages, there might be a difference.

Butterworth is in no hurry to say one way or the other.

"To win the America's Cup you have to design and build a fast boat. Then sail it properly," said Butterworth.

"I think [designer] Laurie Davidson has done a fantastic job as has [boatbuilder] Mick Cookson.

"As a boatbuilder he has produced two quality boats which we feel will be second to none. He was out on NZL60 today and I'd say he would be very happy," said Butterworth.

"We have a database of knowledge we have built up over the years.

"Working alongside Tom Schnackenberg, the designers have come up with some fantastic yachts.

"Other syndicates have poured in a lot more money than Team New Zealand but dollars alone are not going to make a boat go faster.

"We feel across the board - from the design team through the sailors to the sponsors - we have the best team."

Questioned on whether Team New Zealand should have been given the right to defend the Cup without facing a defenders' series, Butterworth was guarded.

"It is pretty good being seeded into the final.

"But we don't know whether the decision to go without a defender's elimination was the right one.

"Some have said by going in [to the America's Cup] cold, we will have missed some vital racing. Others say we have an advantage in that our boats will not have been subjected to the hard racing.

"We will have had all the racing we want. On the question of wear and tear, these boats are like Formula One race cars. If something is broken, you fix it."

Of some things he is sure.

"Come February 19, we will be ready for the start of the America's Cup.

"Our goal is to be back here in three years defending again. I think the gap between winning in San #Diego in 1995 and defending here has been too long."

The break has allowed Team New Zealand to refocus and gather a squad of 32 sailors.

While the critical roles will be filled by the more experienced campaigners, Butterworth is certain some new faces will be seen during the defence.

"There is a fair bit of mixing and matching. Murray Jones does the crew list each day before we head out. There is a testing meeting early each morning at which time the day's schedule is worked out.

"We are all here by 7.30 and usually leave between nine and 10 o'clock.

"It is going to be tough," Butterworth said. "Last time we had a fast boat and sailed it well. Hopefully, nothing will change.

"Except, of course, we are at home this time, which can mean more demands on our time but we have the best set-up for an America's Cup regatta ever. The challengers have been blown away."

Come the Cup proper, on the water as well as off it, Butterworth hopes.