America's Cup- Spithill baits Kiwis, Aussie Laser sailors face tests

by Rob Kothe and the Sail-World team on 6 Jun 2014 The release of the 78 page America’s Cup 2017 Protocol has been generating lots of heat and a little light.
On New Zealand breakfast television yesterday morning.

Jimmy Spithill the skipper of Oracle Team USA, was at his stirring best. He commented 'that if the current management team of Team New Zealand isn't confident they can pull the team together or be competitive and win, then maybe the wrong people are running Team New Zealand.

'I could think of a couple of guys who could get in there and run it, who have a winning track record,' he added.

Spithill did not elaborate or name names, and the thrust of the remainder of the interview was that the newly announced Protocol was was fair and that it would lower costs, due to the smaller boat and expected reduction in team size. Spithill said that he expected the venue to be confirmed in October, ahead of the December 31, 2014 deadline set in the Protocol announced two days ago.

An online poll conducted in a NZ newspaper shows that over 86% of those viewing believe that New Zealand should not challenge again for the America's Cup. 4,500 had responded to the poll, and only 14% believed NZ should challenge again under the current Protocol.

We have the full interview with Jimmy and comments too from Emirates Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton.

Our America’s Cup Editor Richard Gladwell weighed into the argument today with a TV interview to be broadcast overnight.

Last day of the Henri Lloyd Winter Sample Sale of Men's and women's discontinued lifestyle and marine collections Up to 80% off original RRP! Only at: 90 Alexander St, Crows Nest, NSW 10am to 5pm Saturday 7th June Selected sale items available online: www.henrilloyd.com.au with orders over $200 getting free shipping Australia wide.

Santander 2014- where 50% of the country qualifications for Rio 2016 will be secured is looming (Sail-World will be in Santander from September 5th to 22nd) and ahead of that there is a solid round of European championships.

Next up is the 2014 European Laser Standard and Laser Radial Championships in Split, Croatia next week, with three sailors from 45 countries competing. Racing starts in Split on Monday and runs over six days with the titles set to be decided and medals presented on Saturday, 14th June.

Australian Sailing Team’s Tom Burton is amongst the favourites for Split after winning the last two ISAF Sailing World Cups in Hyères, France and Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

The Australian Sailing Men’s Laser squad will compete in Split in full force with both AST sailors Tom Burton (NSW) and Matthew Wearn (WA) in the fleet as well as Australian Sailing Squad sailors Ryan Palk (QLD), Ashley Brunning (NSW), Mitchel Kennedy (QLD), Luke Elliott (WA) and Jeremy O’Connell (VIC).

In the Women’s Laser Radial Fleet Australian Sailing Squad will have two sailors in the fleet with both Ashley Stoddart (QLD) and Krystal Weir (VIC) competing.

Lots more news from Oz and OS, enjoy your weekend.