Sailing: New Zealand entry register for next edition of The Ocean Race

Bianca Cook (left) will spearhead a New Zealand campaign in the next edition of the Ocean Race. Photo: Jeremie Lecaudey/Volvo Ocean Race

New Zealand is set to have its own team to cheer on in the next edition of the Ocean Race, with a Kiwi campaign confirmed on Friday.

The Ocean Race announced interest from a Kiwi team, spearheaded by Bianca Cook who sailed in the most recent edition of the race aboard Turn the Tide on Plastic, on Friday. However, while the Ocean Race seemingly confirmed the team had entered, Cook told the Herald they weren't quite at that point yet.

"It's definitely the plan," Cook said. "The Ocean Race were a little bit gun-ho there. We're definitely in the process of getting a team in the next race.

"It's not an announcement. It was more just to show there's interest there and we're working hard to get a team together for the next race; a New Zealand flagged team."

Race veteran Tony Rae has linked up with Cook to manage the campaign, with his experience from sailing in the race six times as well as being a part of seven America's Cup campaigns sure to be a great help to the Kiwis.

A Kiwi challenge has been registered with the Ocean Race, and Cook said they have lined up some private funding to get their foot in the door in getting a boat to New Zealand and begin work on the campaign.

"It's very early days. There's still a lot of funding to be found behind it, but we've got enough to get it going.

"We have a deep pool of New Zealand sailors to draw from as we put together the crew – I can't mention any names just yet – but watch this space."

The race, formerly known as the Volvo Ocean Race, had a sizeable collection of Kiwis scattered between the seven teams, including America's Cup and Olympic stars Blair Tuke and Peter Burling, and ocean racing veterans Stu Bannatyne, Darryl Wislang and Tony Mutter.

During the last race, many of the New Zealand sailors confirmed their interest in taking part in a New Zealand challenge so it would be no surprise to see some veteran heads on board. However with the Ocean Race and the America's Cup falling in the same year, Cooks expects Team New Zealand sailors will be focusing on defending their title ahead of joining the Kiwi Ocean Race bid.

The New Zealand campaign was one of two noted by the Ocean Race on Friday, alongside a yet to be located team which will be put together by Paulo Mirpuri, who's Mirpuri Foundation was the founding partner of Turn the Tide on Plastic.

Mirpuri confirmed he would have at least one team in the next edition of the competition, but with two classes of boats being raced next time, he was considering a second bid.

"Our intention is to build a campaign in the VO65 boat – the one-design class that produced such thrillingly close racing last time out – to take our sustainability message around the globe," Mirpuri said.

"I'm extremely interested in the IMOCA class, which will showcase the best in technology and innovation. Alongside sustainability, these are both values we hold dearly at the Mirpuri Foundation. As such, I'm also exploring the possibility of an IMOCA campaign that would make a strong challenge for The Ocean Race trophy."