Young Appleton has heaps of experience

By JULIE ASH

Cameron Appleton joined Team New Zealand in 1997. "I started out driving a chase boat and then moved into sailing on the second boat with Dean [Barker] the last time around.

"As everyone moved on from the team, positions opened up."

Although one of the youngest, Appleton now has the experience of the last campaign to draw on.

"I know the ins and outs of the campaign because I was here last time. There is a lot of experience still within our team.

"There is a lot of enthusiasm and guys that are just wanting to prove themselves and win this thing again.

"People have grown into the team. They have been brought in through the departures of the more senior members who went to other campaigns. It just shows the depth in New Zealand."

When asked about the pressure of defending the cup, Appleton says: "I think the pressure is applied from ourselves. At the moment we are a long way off getting into the race hype. That sort of pressure will come.

"Once it gets a lot closer our concentration is on being prepared for it. The pressure will come on pretty fast, but we'll just have to absorb it."

Appleton says there are several things he enjoys about the America's Cup. "There are so many variables and the development of the sport is so unreal.

"You come to work every day and the thing you hate the most is the sun - you can't escape the sun.

"It is tough at times and sometimes you wonder why you love it so much, but you go home, have a good night's sleep and all comes back to you."

After this cup, Appleton says he would like to have a stint in the Etchells.

"I brought an Etchell not so long ago. Next year I'd like to get involved in some Etchell sailing and see if I can beat Dennis Conner," he laughs.

"He is one of the best in light airs - he is setting the pace.

"But the America's Cup is our focus at the moment and you can't look too much past that at this stage."


Cameron Appleton - backup helmsman and member of the afterguard

Age: 24

Place of Birth: North Shore

Career highlights

2001:

Steinlager Line 7 Cup, third

NZ match-racing nationals, second

Tour de France a la Voile

Sunsdsval Grade 1 match racing, fourth

America's Cup jubilee, 2nd KZ7

Knickerbocker Cup, fifth


2000:

Steinlager Line 7 Cup, second

Gotland Rund offshore race, first

National keel-boat champs, first

NZ match-racing champs, fourth

1999:

Etchell nationals, sixth

Auckland to Fiji race, first

1998:

Antibes Cup, France, third

Polaris Block Trophy, Canada, second

York Cup, Canada, fifth

1997:

Steinlager Line 7 Cup, sixth

Steinlager Line & Feeder Series, third

Antibes Cup, fifth

National match-racing champs, fourth

MRX owners' match race, first

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