By JULIE ASH
Emirates Team New Zealand have become the fourth challenger for the next America's Cup.
Team New Zealand's entry, put forward by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, has been officially accepted by the Societe Nautique de Geneve.
"Twelve months ago we set out to bring together the best sailing skills
and the best design team, back them with the best support available and create a team that can win the America's Cup again," said Team New Zealand's managing director, Grant Dalton.
"We aimed to broaden the team's skill and experience base and encourage the innovation and flair for which this team are renowned."
Team New Zealand officially announced their challenge last month after securing a major sponsorship deal with Middle Eastern airline Emirates.
Notable additions to the sailing team include two-time ISAF world sailor of the year and Olympic gold and silver medallist Ben Ainslie, former Stars and Stripes tactician Terry Hutchinson, Olympic gold and silver medallist Rod Davis and former OneWorld sailor Kevin Hall.
Andy Claughton, who has been involved with New Zealand America's Cup efforts since 1987, heads the design team.
He is joined by young Spanish designer Marcelino Botin, and Team New Zealand veterans Clay Oliver and Tom Schnackenberg.
Other challengers already accepted are Chris Dickson's BMW Oracle Racing, Italy's +39 and the South African Team Shosholoza.
The challengers will compete in the Louis Vuitton series, which starts in Valencia in April 2007.
The winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup will race Ernesto Bertarelli's Swiss syndicate Alinghi for the America's Cup in June.
Leading up to 2007, several pre-regattas will seed the challengers. The first is in France in September this year, followed by two in Valencia in October.
Team New Zealand's race boat, NZL82, will be shipped to Europe this month.
Further reading: nzherald.co.nz/americascup
