Big offer for designer

The man who drew the winning lines of Team New Zealand's black boats is the big target of an American syndicate raiding our champion America's Cup crew.

Laurie Davidson, part of New Zealand cup efforts since 1987, is believed to be one of about 20 Team New Zealand members offered huge money to join a Seattle challenge.

He is believed to be interested in a new role, but could not be contacted for comment.

Russell Coutts, one of the new troika leading Team New Zealand, said from San Francisco last night that as far as he knew, Davidson had not yet signed with any syndicate.