Jimmy spits the dummy toward Team NZ again
Oracle skipper Jimmy Spithill has quickly shown he will again be a constant barb in the side of Team New Zealand, firing several broadsides at the Kiwis during the opening press conference of the America’s Cup.
The six competing helmsmen fronted the international media in Bermuda yesterday and Spithill picked up where he left off in San Francisco four years ago.
A merciless taunter of the Kiwis in the remarkable America’s Cup final that saw him oversee a comeback from 8-1 down to win the Cup for a second time, Spithill was at it again over a range of topics.
It could be a long month for Team New Zealand on and off the water, judging by the early shots fired across their bow from the defender.
Spithill, the cocky Aussie, had an early dig at Team New Zealand’s decision to operate outside of the other five syndicates who have built a cosy relationship during this campaign and have set up an agenda moving forward.
Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton labelled his team a ‘‘lone wolf’’ a couple of months ago and Spithill agreed, mischievously suggesting there could be a division in the Kiwi camp.
‘‘They’ve always been invited basically to every meeting to discuss the future of the event, so I think Grant Dalton has shown he is a lone wolf. It’s rare for me to agree with him, but I’d have to agree with that,’’ Spithill said.
‘‘I think he’s created that. We obviously wanted them involved, I’ve spoken to some of the New Zealand sailors and they have a different opinion, but they can’t say anything.’’
He also refused to acknowledge the Kiwi ingenuity that has seen them break away from the pack in terms of design and use pedal power for this regatta which will now start tomorrow after a forecast of high winds forced organisers to postpone the opening races for a day.
Spithill instead made reference to Sweden’s failed attempt with cycle grinders.
‘‘I think the Swedes may have got it somewhat right 40 years ago when they tried it, it’s something we’ve certainly looked at, I think all of the teams up here have looked at the bikes. To be honest every single campaign the bike question is asked,’’ Spithill said.
‘‘We’re looking at a hybrid system, a combination of both. We are going to keep developing and see how it sets up,’’ he added of their late move to put one cycling station in each hull as opposed to the four that Team New Zealand are operating with considerable success in terms of improving their power output.
And Spithill also fired back at Oracle’s design and training agreement with Team Japan, turning it back on the Kiwis who did something similar with Italy’s Luna Rossa for the last Cup.
‘‘It’s been a great relationship. Team New Zealand really started this all with the last campaign with Luna Rossa - to be honest I don’t think they did a great job of it,’’ he said.
‘‘This time you look at the relationship between Japan and ourselves, it has been really good. You know, a lot of learning, a lot of development.
‘‘It is the way forward, you look at other sports that’s what they do - have more than one car in the race. This is the future model.’’
Rookie New Zealand helmsman Peter Burling held his composure during the press conference and kept his attention on the racing that is about to start.
He felt Team New Zealand, with its strong Kiwi emphasis in crew and design, had strong national support for this campaign.
‘‘It makes us proud to be from New Zealand, I love representing the country,’’ Burling said.
‘‘That great pride drives us to push forward and make our boat faster and even more determined, when we are in tough times, to pull ahead. I don’t think the other teams here have that support from home. It is amazing the support we do get, that’s why we’re here,’’ he said.
‘‘I’m pretty excited, as is the team, to just get going. We are all young guys and although that learning curve has been steep we are all really enthusiastic and can adapt quickly, especially as the boats evolve every day so we can keep ahead of the game. We are in in good shape to get racing.’’