Yachting: Dalton looking ahead to hard year

Emirates Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton shuffles almost anxiously in his chair.

After his team's success in last year's acts it is clear the man who has his heart set on bringing the America's Cup back to Auckland is eager to get his team to Valencia and on the startline alongside archrivals Alinghi, Oracle and Team Luna Rossa.

After their dismal performance in the 2003 defence, the new Dalton-led syndicate surprised everyone, including themselves, by topping the leader board in last year's acts.

Back then Alinghi was still in disarray after the sacking of skipper Russell Coutts, while Oracle started strongly but went haywire as the acts progressed.

Dalton is not expecting such smooth sailing this year.

"This could arguably be our hardest year," he said before leaving for Spain.

"I think we have consolidated a lot through the summer, I am sure we are better and faster, but so is everyone else.

"There is expectation ... I can't remember how many games England won two years out before the rugby World Cup but I know they won the World Cup.

"Whatever happens, win or lose, we have to keep building and marching forward."

To compete in this year's regattas the syndicates must comply with the new design specifications.

For Team New Zealand that has meant a fair bit of cosmetic surgery for their race boat NZL82.

Gone is the controversial hula, a new bow and stern have been carefully attached, a fair bit of weight has come off the bulb and new sails and rigs have been designed.

Dalton said this year's regattas would give them a chance to confirm whether the improvements they had made were in the right direction.

"Normally you don't find out where you are until you go up in the first race of the Louis Vuitton Cup.

"You can do things now and decide they are right and if not change direction."

That being the case, he said, everything would be put out for everyone to see.

He said his team were well advanced in the development of their new boats and construction of their first one would start in a few months.

"That is probably about where everyone is at. Most will be waiting for these regattas in Valencia to get the 'are we right' before the button is pushed."

On a recent trip to Valencia, Dalton was able to check in on the opposition and was impressed with their level of intensity.

"I didn't feel exposed from a boat point of view in terms of what they are doing with their rigs and sails and stuff.

"They were very focused in their testing and very disciplined in where they sailed to learn about the courses and that is to their advantage because we are not there yet.

"At this point I would see them with a venue advantage which will slowly nullify over the next 15 to 16 months as we start to get there.

"I don't see a boat advantage yet other than the inherited advantage of Alinghi and Oracle being better boats anyway."

Alinghi are understood to have a new-look appendage package with a keel that appears similar to what Team New Zealand used in the last cup - possibly with the influence of former Team New Zealand designer Mike Drummond, who is now with the Swiss syndicate.

The Spanish, who acquired the old OneWorld boats, are going well, while there is plenty of interest in Victory Challenge and how they have progressed.

In typical Dalton fashion, he is after perfection from his crew, especially key afterguard members skipper Dean Barker, navigator Kevin Hall and tactician Terry Hutchinson.

"We are getting pretty settled with the afterguard.

"If nothing changes that will be the afterguard we'll go to the cup with."

Dalton said the fact that the points from this year's regattas now count towards the Louis Vuitton Cup has meant little to his team.

"We want to go well because it is the best way of learning and keeping the team motivated.

"But it is not about 2005 or 2006 - it is about 2007."

2005 AMERICA'S CUP ACTS

Act 4: June 16-22, Valencia, matchracing
Act 5: June 24-26, Valencia, fleet racing
Act 6: August 25-31, Sweden, matchracing
Act 7: September 2-4, Sweden, fleet racing
Act 8: September 29 to October 5, Italy, matchracing
Act 9: October 7-9, Italy, fleet racing

THE TEAMS

Defender: Alinghi (Switz)

CHALLENGERS

Emirates Team New Zealand
BMW Oracle Racing (US)
Team Luna Ross (Italy)
+39 (Italy)
Mascalzone Latino/Team Capitalia (Italy)
K-Challenge (France)
Team Shosholoza (S Africa)
Desafio Espanol (Spain)
Victory Challenge (Sweden)
China Team (China/France)
United Internet (Germany)