By JULIE ASH
A French America's Cup syndicate has acquired the yachts Team New Zealand used to successfully defend the Auld Mugin 2000.
K-Challenge, in Toulouse, has bought NZL57 and leased NZL60, the yacht that beat Prada 5-0 in the America's Cup match.
Design and engineering documentation is included in the deal.
Team New
Zealand managing director Grant Dalton said NZL60 would be returned after the 2007 cup.
"It is a yachting icon that was at the cutting edge of design innovation in its day," he said.
"As a winning yacht, we felt it should be retained in New Zealand."
Dalton said the syndicate had no concerns about making the 2000 yachts available to a rival syndicate.
"Team New Zealand has moved on. We have NZL81 and NZL82 from 2003 as the base for our 2007 campaign.
"We have also acquired the Illbruck challenge yacht GER68, which was built for 2003 but never raced, which we will test against NZL82 on the Hauraki Gulf next summer."
NZL57 will leave Auckland for Europe in late June, and NZL60 will go in August.
K-Challenge chief executive Stephane Kandler said acquiring the boats was a major step forward for his new team.
"To win the America's Cup, you need a winning boat.
"We have been very happy and honoured to negotiate with Team New Zealand, a legendary team that we respect and admire."
