Yachting: Unbroken spirit in patched-up boat

By SUZANNE McFADDEN

Young America exorcised a ghost at sea yesterday.

Seven weeks ago today, USA53 snapped in half, and as the terrified crew dived into the Hauraki Gulf it seemed the America's Cup boat was gurgling to a watery grave.

But the boat has returned - sailing again for the first time yesterday after being stuck back together after 4500 man hours in a yard west of Auckland.

It may seem a fruitless exercise. Young America are out of this America's Cup, and USA53 is unlikely to race in a cup regatta again.

Because of tricky cup protocol it cannot even help the surviving challengers. And testing with Team New Zealand is a definite no-no.

But yesterday's structural test was something the Young America crew had to do. For skipper Ed Baird it was somewhat of a sentimental journey.

"The boat's beautiful. It's a pleasure to sail," he said. "It's a shame that 53 broke - it was a wonderful boat. It's sad that it's not going to see any real race action again."

The Young America crew, still in Auckland despite being relegated from the regatta a fortnight ago, put the boat through its paces for three hours yesterday afternoon.

"There were no strange noises - no cracks or groans," Baird said. "There were a few jokes, but there always are on our boat. The guys are trying hard to hang in there."

Kiwi Sean Kelly, from Ohope, was a special passenger on the boat yesterday, as reward for his part in saving USA53 from sinking on November 9.

Kelly, an engineer on Young America's science vessel, Weetamoe, stood waist-deep in water to start five pumps and keep the boat afloat.

USA53 will probably sail one more day in Auckland, in stiffer breezes than yesterday's 10 knots, before being packed away with sister USA58.

Baird said some of the semifinalists had been interested in trialing against the Young America stable, but it became too complicated.

"There is always a paranoia when a team who have left the event start sailing against a surviving team," he said.

"The question comes up whether you are gaining knowledge from another design group. Someone could liberally interpret the rules, and the consequences of finding that it was the wrong thing to do could be dire."

A number of challengers are still waiting to hear from the arbitration panel on similar questions.

Team New Zealand asked Young America if they could make a foursome of the black boats, but got a negative reply. "As the Challenger of Record, it would be pretty inappropriate for us to help the defender," Baird said.

The Young America camp will finally disband on New Year's Day. The boats are likely to stay on the base in Syndicate Row until the fate of the Auld Mug is decided.