Coutts and the Swiss hit 'syndicate road'

By JULIE ASH

Former Team New Zealand skipper Russell Coutts and the Swiss Challenge Alinghi set up their base in enemy territory last night, less than a year out from the start of the Louis Vuitton Cup challenger series.

The Alinghi crew, along with their two boats Alinghi 59 and 64 and at least 10 tonnes of gear, have settled into their purple-coloured headquarters at the Viaduct Harbour.

The base will be partly open to the public in March.

Alinghi 64 arrived in New Zealand by freight plane and 59 was unloaded from a container ship.

"We are going to be able to train on two boats now, which is essential to the development of our programme," said Coutts, one of several New Zealanders involved in the Swiss syndicate.

But Alinghi were not the only outfit on display on "syndicate road" yesterday. Peter Harrison's Great Britain Challenge also officially opened their base.

It has been 14 years since Great Britain have challenged for the America's Cup and Harrison said he would keen to see it returned to Britain - where the "world cup of sailing" began in 1851.

"We would love to get our British hands back on the Auld Mug and return it to Britain where it all started," Harrison said.

"But the reality of the America's Cup is that, like Formula One motor racing, it is very hard to win after a 14-year absence [from racing]."

A keen sportsman, Harrison sold his computer business for £300 million ($1.03 billion) and at the end of January launched the GBR Challenge - a venture which will cost him more than £20 million.

"The GBR Challenge is not a one-off. This is hopefully just the beginning," he said.

Harrison brought an America's Cup "starter kit" from the former Japanese syndicate Nippon, which included three yachts and four chase boats.

However, it appears that Nippon may be keen to enter the Challenger series again.

"The former Nippon challenge have indicated that they would like to come back and lease one of the boats. We wouldn't be against that, but nothing has been concluded yet," he said.

Harrison hired veteran New Zealand sailor David Barnes as the general manager of the syndicate, along with an impressive crew.

"We [Britain] have had a tremendous background of sailing capability. In the Sydney Olympics we showed our talent by winning five of the 33 sailing medals, comprising three gold and two silver. We were the top sailing nation at the Games.

"The reason we have not been able to compete [for the America's Cup] is that there has been a lot of talk in Britain by various syndicates but no one has been willing to put the money up."

The Louis Vuitton series starts in October.