Camper designer Marcelino Botin believes the team's new Volvo Open 70 could have the edge on its rivals, but admits the real potential of the "radically different" boat won't become clear until racing starts.
Camper's unusual design features a keel that sits in front of the mast rather than behind it, and daggerboards positioned behind the keel.
"We have designed a boat which we think will be quick in reaching and running conditions and that behaves well in waves," said Botin.
"We're not expecting to be knots faster than everyone else but we'd be very satisfied if we have given the team a slight advantage. Even with the smallest of advantages the right team with the right guys will do the rest."
But some aspects of Botin's design have proved controversial.
Camper's adjustable hydraulic forestay ram has attracted plenty of attention and was the subject of a collective appeal by several teams who believed it to be outside the measurement rules and an unfair advantage.
Two applications were made in early October claiming the Volvo Open 70 Interpretation Group had, through an improper interpretation of a class rule, changed another rule. The first application was made by Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing and Puma Ocean Racing on October 11.
The second was made by Team Telefonica the following day.
The applications were later rejected by independent arbitration panel, but last weekend Groupama tried to force the issue again, raising their protest flag against Team New Zealand during the in-shore racing in Alicante. Again an international jury dismissed the protest over Camper's forestay set-up.
The protests, the last of which was only heard on Monday, had the potential to distract Team New Zealand from their intense preparation for the race.
But skipper Chris Nicholson said he was always confident the innovations on the Camper yacht were legal.
Nicholson said the measurement process was a key factor since the very early stages of the Camper yacht's design process. "We brought ideas to the table that subsequently required a massive amount of energy to ensure that everything was legal," he said.
With the legal challenges having been snuffed out, Nicholson is confident the team have the boat and the sail plan to win the gruelling 39,000 nautical mile race.
While Team New Zealand are newcomers to the ocean-racing scene having up until two years ago been solely focused on the America's Cup, the personnel on board are anything but novices.
Nicholson has done three previous Volvo campaigns, while his co-skipper, Stuart Bannatyne, has done five, winning three of those to make him one of the most successful offshore sailors of all time.
Also included in Nicholson's inner cabinet are navigator Will Oxley and co-navigator Andrew McLean, both of whom have impressive ocean-racing CVs. But it is the relatively inexperienced Abu Dhabi team that will leave Spain with a slight edge, having won the opening in-port race in Alicante last weekend to earn six points. Puma are in second place on five points, followed by Team New Zealand with four.
Crewed by Kiwis
Given New Zealand's rich history in the Volvo Ocean Race, it is not surprising that the 2011-12 event will once again feature an abundance of Kiwi sailors. Across the six crews there are 22 New Zealanders taking part in the race - by far the most-represented nation in the event.
Team Sanya
Outside Team New Zealand, the most high-profile Kiwi in the event is Team Sanya skipper Mike Sanderson, a two-time winner of the race. Sanderson has made full use of his New Zealand contacts, recruiting Andy Mieklejohn, Cameron Dunn, Chris Main, David Swete, Richard Mason and Ryan Houston.
Puma Ocean Racing
One of the pre-race favourites, the Puma crew, headed by United States veteran Ken Read, includes a smattering of Kiwis. Brad Jackson and Tony Mutter are the two watch captains, joined by helmsman/in-shore tactician Kelvin Harrap.
Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing
The well-funded Abu Dhabi team features two experienced Kiwis - watch leader Craig Satterthwaite and helmsman/trimmer Justin Ferris.
Team Telefonica
The Spanish-flagged entry is the only crew in the race not to have a New Zealand representative on board.
Groupama
Skippered by Frenchman Franck Cammas, the Groupama crew is primarily made up of his countrymen. But among the small international contingent on board the boat is Kiwi Brad Marsh.
Camper crew
Andrew Nicholson (AUS) - skipper
Stuart Bannatyne (NZL) - co-skipper and watch captain
Will Oxley (AUS) - navigator
Andrew McLean (NZL) - navigator
Tony Rae (NZL) - helmsman/trimmer/safety
Roberto Bermudez de Castro (ESP) - helmsman/trimmer
Rob Salthouse (NZL) - helmsman/trimmer
Adam Minoprio (NZL) - helmsman/trimmer
Michael Pammenter (RSA) - bowman/boat captain
Daryl Wislang (NZL) - bowman/sails
Hamish Hooper (NZL) - media crew member
