Yachting: Team New Zealand on their way

By JULIE ASH

In the balmy waters off the French city of Marseille, Team New Zealand have re-emerged from the ruins of last year's America's Cup.

The new Emirates-sponsored syndicate and their race boat, the freshly painted and strengthened NZL82, have spent the past few days stretching their legs off the coast of Marseille in preparation for the first cup pre-regatta.

With veteran round-the-world yachtsman Grant Dalton now in charge, the New Zealand syndicate have quickly shown they mean business.

Just a few days after arriving in France, Dalton had them lined up against cup defenders Alinghi.

"As the defender, no one is really going to sail much with them," Dalton said.

"But in our case we have got a lot to learn, so sailing against one of the two hottest boats - the other being Oracle - is good for us."

Although little can be taken from such hit-outs, the whispers from France were that little separated the two, and the same boat which let the nation down powered through the water effortlessly.

Dalton, however, is warning not to expect too much from his team in this year's regattas.

"I think Oracle and Alinghi are going to be a cut above us. But I am expecting that and so is everyone here.

"All I really want to get out of these regattas is what path our development should take, where we feel weak, and to see if we are starting to function as a team."

So far Dalton has been impressed with the way his team are coming together.

"The team seems happy. It is very Kiwi; we have a barbecue at the base every night. I guess there are certain criteria I always look for to see if a team is starting to operate and work together, and it feels okay."

Team New Zealand head into the first regatta a little short in the afterguard department. Finn gold medallist Ben Ainslie and former Stars and Stripes tactician Terry Hutchinson will not join the team until next month.

Ainslie's dominance in the Finn class has raised the question of whether he should be at the helm instead of Dean Barker, who finished 13th in the same class in Athens.

"Ben's primary role is in the afterguard with Dean, but he will also be given the opportunity to develop his skills as a helmsman because Dean has to be kept under pressure," Dalton said. "But Dean is on the wheel at this stage."

Joining Barker in the afterguard next week are Rod Davis (tactician), Kelvin Harrap (strategist) and Kevin Hall (navigator) - a group who, apart from this week, had never sailed together.

Dalton will also sail. In fact it would probably take the entire All Black forward pack to keep him off the boat. Yet when asked 16 months ago when he took on the job if he was intending to sail, Dalton's reply was, "Do you know how old I am?"

The presence of the 47-year-old, who has circumnavigated the globe seven times, will steady the ship.

With a perfectionist like Dalton on deck, the chances of several tonnes of water pouring on board or a mast crashing down would be slim.

With new cup rules allowing for an extra crew member, Dalton will grind and help with packing the spinnakers - not exactly one of the most glamorous jobs.

"It is back in the sewer for me. Which is good. I love that ... all that sweat pouring out of you."

Cup pre regattas

* Marseille September 5-11.

* Valencia October 5-12; 14-11.

* Regattas are a mix of fleet- and match-racing and from next year will be used to help seed the challengers for the Louis Vuitton Cup.

ALINGHI

* Country: Switzerland.

* Syndicate established: 2000.

* Yacht: SUI 64.

* Syndicate head: Ernesto Bertarelli.

* Skipper/helmsman: Jochen Schuemann, Peter Holmberg.

* Afterguard: Brad Butterworth, Murray Jones, Juan Vila, Jordi Calafat. BMW ORACLE RACING

* Country: USA.

* Syndicate established: 2000.

* Yacht: USA 76.

* Syndicate head: Larry Ellison.

* CEO and skipper: Chris Dickson.

* Helmsman: Gavin Brady.

* Afterguard: Larry Ellison, Steve Hayles, John Kostecki, Bertrand Pace. K-CHALLENGE

* Country: France.

* Syndicate established: 2002.

* Yacht: FRA 57.

* Syndicate head: Stephane Kandler.

* Team general manager: Dawn Riley.

* Skipper: Thierry Peponnet. LE DEFI

* Country: France.

* Syndicate established: 1996.

* Yacht: FRA 69.

* Syndicate head: Philippe Presti.

* Directors: Luc Gellusseau Xavier de Lesquen, Pierre Mas and Luc Gellusseau. SHOSHOLOZA

* Country: South Africa.

* Syndicate established: 2003.

* Yacht: RSA48.

* President: Mafika Mkwanazi.

* Managing director: Captain Salvatore Sarno.

* Skipper: Geoff Meek. EMIRATES TEAM NZ

* Country: New Zealand.

* Syndicate established: 1993.

* Yacht: NZL 82.

* Syndicate head: Grant Dalton.

* Skipper: Dean Barker.

* Afterguard: Rod Davis, Kevin Hall, Kelvin Harrap, Ben Ainslie, Terry Hutchinson, Ray Davies, Adam Beashel.

* Sailing team: Don Cowie, Andy Hemmings, Jared Henderson, Nick Heron, Grant Loretz, Jeremy Lomas, Jonathan Macbeth, Chris McAsey, Matthew Mason, Richard Meacham, Tony Rae, Rob Waddell, Chris Ward.