America's Cup: Dean Barker makes first big signing

Dean Barker. Picture / Sarah Ivey

Dean Barker has made his first big signing with Team Japan, with former Luna Rossa helmsman Chris Draper joining the new syndicate for the next America's Cup.

Draper, an Olympic medalist, multiple European and world champion, will take up the role of sailing director of the syndicate and join Barker on board in a tactics/wing trimmer position.

The British sailor was left without an America's Cup syndicate when Luna Rossa withdrew from the next event after rejecting changes to the design rule pushed through by organisers earlier this year.

"The opportunity to join a new team and build it from scratch is very exciting," the Draper said.

"Dean and I spent a lot of time racing against each other in New Zealand during the build up to the last America's Cup and developed a mutual respect for each other. When Dean approached me with an offer to join this team it was clear this was a unique opportunity to build something new."

Draper is a world champion in the Olympic 49er class and won a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympic Games.

He was recruited to join Team Korea during the America's Cup World Series in 2011 and made an immediate impact, driving the rookie team to solid results against experienced Cup crews. Before long he had been pulled across to Luna Rossa Challenge, who he led to the challenger finals, before falling to Barker's New Zealand team.

"We learned a lot about each other during our time together during the last campaign when we trained with Luna Rossa in Auckland," Barker said. "Chris is a very skilled sailor brings a lot to our team. We're fortunate to have him."

Draper says Barker will be on the helm when racing starts at the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series in Portsmouth next month, while the team's general manager, Kazuhiko Sofuku will also be on board. The syndicate are facing a huge challenge to get a crew together and up to speed in the new foiling AC45 catamarans before the first regatta of the America's Cup cycle.

"Getting the team off the ground so quickly has been a whirlwind," Draper said. "I think we're all looking forward to getting on the water and lining up against the other teams for the first time and just thinking about sailing for a few days.

"The team has huge aspirations. With a competitive boat, we have as good a chance going in to the Cup in 2017 as anyone else and that's all you can ask for."