By SUZANNE McFADDEN
Everything may have been rosy for Team New Zealand in the Beehive yesterday, but in Bermuda it was a gloomy day for their sailors.
While the team bosses were basking in the reflected economic glory their America's Cup win generated, two of the Team NZ skippers were barrelled out
on day one of the last big match-racing regatta of the year.
When skipper Dean Barker was knocked out of the Gold Cup yesterday by Kiwi rival Chris Dickson, it cost him a much bigger prize.
Barker's aim in Bermuda was to make the final and end the year at the top of the inaugural Swedish Match grand prix tour, which carried a $US50,000 prize.
Instead, the purse went to Frenchman Bertrand Pace, who did not even go to Bermuda. That was not all bad news for Team NZ, since Pace is coming to work for them next week.
Barker cannot be beaten for second place in the world series, so he still collects a $US35,000 cheque.
Team NZ's other back-up helmsman, 22-year-old Cameron Appleton, lost 0-3 to Swedish America's Cup skipper Magnus Holmberg.
Barker found himself 0-2 down to the wily Dickson before pulling a win back. But Dickson, a two-time winner in Bermuda who will skipper an American challenge in the next cup, advanced to the quarter-finals after winning the fourth race.
"We were a bit rusty and lacked experience in these boats," Barker said. "Our speed was fine. We were starting reasonably well, but just making silly mistakes around the course."
Two other Kiwis made it through to the next round tomorrow: former Team NZ crewmates Russell Coutts and Murray Jones, now leaders in the Swiss Cup campaign.
After dealing to Dennis Conner yesterday, Jones will now come up against Dickson. Coutts, who beat American Andy Horton, will sail against No 2 seed Holmberg.
Herald Online feature: America's Cup
Team NZ: who's in, who's out
