KEY POINTS:
Tom Schnackenberg will lead the design process for the new America's Cup boats before joining Swiss syndicate Alinghi.
America's Cup Management have appointed the New Zealander as the class rule and competition regulations consultant for the design consultation period which starts this week and involves the defender and challengers.
Schnackenberg's job is to ensure that all views are taken into consideration in the process that will eventually lead to a new type of boat being announced on October 31.
When that is complete the nuclear physicist, who worked for Italians Luna Rossa during the last Cup after he was released from Team New Zealand, will work for Alinghi.
Schnackenberg, whose first Cup campaign was in 1977, said helping create the new 27m boats will be a huge challenge.
"For me that is part of the appeal.
"I have been intrigued by the prospect of the new rule since it was signalled after the Cup and am honoured to have been invited to participate in its inception," Schnackenberg said.
Kiwi Mike Sanderson, team director of the British Challenge Origin, said the choice of Schnackenberg to lead the design process is fantastic.
"Having someone of Tom's calibre available and willing to take on this important task is very fortunate for the whole America's Cup community," Sanderson said.
Alinghi managing director Grant Simmer, who worked with Schnackenberg during the successful Australia II campaign, said he is "one of the smartest and most experienced technical sailors and designers in our sport" and he was looking forward to welcoming him to Alinghi.
The five challengers, Desafio Espanol, Origin, Shosholoza, Team New Zealand and United internet Team Germany, will join Alinghi for a series of open discussions starting this weekend.
The group will consider ideas for the new class rule which will become public two months ahead of schedule, ensuring an 18-month period before the first race in the new class.
Meanwhile, the America's Cup Arbitration Panel has ruled that Club Nautico Espanol de Vela is a valid yacht club and will take their place as a challenger for the next event. Oracle and Alinghi are set to make their first court appearance tomorrow. The Golden Gate Yacht Club is seeking a ruling on the legitimacy of the proposed protocol.
