Yachting: Barker has long list to work on

Dean Barker. Photo / Dean Purcell

Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker is hoping some of the kinks from the opening round of the America's Cup World Series will be ironed out in the second regatta beginning in Plymouth overnight.

Emirates Team New Zealand made an apparently seamless transition to the new era of multi-hull racing, winning the opening round of the series in Cascais last month.

But from Barker's perspective, his crew have a "list a mile long" of things they need to work on if they are to stay ahead of the pack.

He says organisers will have just as much work to do to sort out technical hitches and formatting issues that arose in the opening round.

America's Cup event management have introduced a number of bold initiatives for the series - which is sailed in identical wing-sailed catamarans - all aimed at creating a bigger and more exciting spectacle for viewers on shore and at home.

But not all the initiatives proved a hit, with the electronic umpiring system causing confusion for the crews.

As well, spectators have found the format, which includes fleet races and speed trials as well as traditional match-racing, difficult to follow.

But the biggest formatting blunder will remain in place for the Plymouth regatta with organisers opting to stick with a winner-takes-all final race, despite mass confusion for spectators.

Barker believes the concept is flawed.

"A winner-takes-all race on the Sunday is a bit tough, because the style of racing is very short and sharp. So one team could perform poorly all week, yet they could go out and have a really good race on the Sunday and come away the winner of the event."

The forecast for the opening weekend in Plymouth is for strong winds in the 20+ knot range, with squalls bringing gusts approaching 30 knots - right on the limit for the AC45s.

America's Cup

Round two of the world series in Plymouth, England

* Today, Tomorrow: Fleet racing championships, speed trial
* September 14-17: Match racing championships
* September 18: Winner-takes-all final fleet race.