BRACE POSITION

Kiwi coach John Bracewell is under pressure in Ireland -

Team New Zealand will look to get America’s Cup veteran Ray Davies essential time behind the wheel of their catamaran over the next fortnight, confirming he will be the backup helmsman to rookie Peter Burling.

Davies hasn’t steered the 50-foot foiling catamaran yet but was instrumental in its development as he handled the syndicate’s test boats while Burling was away with fellow crew member Blair Tuke, building up to their gold medal performance in the 49er skiff at last year’s Rio Olympics.

Getting Burling used to the intricacies of the high-speed cat was crucial once it was launched in Auckland in February, as has been the need to get him comfortable at the helm in the Bermuda waters over the past three weeks.

But backup plans for the key role are essential in the event of illness or injury and Ashby confirmed the 45-year-old Davies would be that man.

Ashby, a multiple world champion in three different catamaran classes, filled in for Dean Barker in San Francisco four years ago but believes it’s best he remains in charge of the wingsail of this highly technical boat.

‘‘With Ray having done a huge amount of helming through the development stage while Pete and Blair were off on their 49er the last year or two, Ray would certainly slip into the helm role and that would minimise the change for everyone else on the boat,’’ Ashby told Fairfax from Bermuda.

‘‘We have pretty much got cover for everyone on the boat if they happen to have an injury or un unforseen circumstance. But, touch wood, we’ll all be safe and sound and be able to make it through unscathed. But we certainly need cover and we do have a lot of depth.

‘‘Ray will get an opportunity to do some sailing over the next couple of weeks and obviously simulator-wise and bits and pieces, we can do quite a bit there too.’’

Davies has been in the America’s Cup game since 2000 and with Team New Zealand since the fateful defence in 2003 when he was part of the weather team. He was tactician to Barker for their last two cup final losses in Valencia in 2007 and San Francisco four years ago.

Ashby has total confidence Davies could substitute for young superstar Burling who is under massive pressure to transfer his Olympic class skills to yachting’s biggest and most volatile arena.

‘‘Ray is a bloody good yachtie, he’s no stranger to highperfoirmance sailing. It would only take 10-15 minutes and he’s back on the reins. That’s the beauty of having Ray, he’s a bit of a jack of all trades and he would pick it up pretty quickly,’’ Ashby said.

‘‘He’s basically developed a lot of the systems right the way through from day one. So he’s up to speed completely with how everyone operates, we’ve got it covered off.’’

It’s a hectic countdown to the start of the challenger’s qualifying series on May 27 and Team New Zealand, with their late arrival in Bermuda, have been trying to make the most of their opportunities on the water.

‘‘We haven’t had the opportunity as yet to put Ray or those other guys in backup roles on because it’s been such a big development phase,’’ Ashby said. ‘‘Obviously for Pete, getting some time here in the conditions has been a priority and getting the boat set up.’’