Speculation surrounds the future of New Zealand yachtsman Gavin Brady in the Prada syndicate following his omission from the crew in their first America's Cup challenger series race.
Prada lost by 42 seconds to Oracle BMW Racing in Auckland in the first Louis Vuitton Cup round yesterday.
Prada spokesman Paolo Martinonisaid helmsman Brady was still in the team.
Discussions were being held about Brady's contract, but that was normal, he said.
Spokeswoman Alessandra Ghezzi said the contract review was not the reason for Brady's omission from yesterday's crew, or from the crew named for today's postponed race against Stars and Stripes.
Brady had mostly been at the helm of Prada's second boat ITA-80 during preparation for the Louis Vuitton Cup, and the team were using their first boat ITA-74 in the first round robin series, she said.
Brady raced in Paul Cayard's AmericaOne team at the 2000 America's Cup regatta and was in the New Zealand Challenge of 1995. He has been leading helmsman for Prada in international match racing in the past year.
Yesterday Prada started their race with Rod Davis at the helm and then quickly shifted to skipper Francesco de Angelis.
