By JULIE ASH
Paul Cayard has joined forces with Grant Dalton's Amer Sports One for leg four of the round-the-world race from Auckland to Rio de Janeiro.
Cayard replaces American tactician Dee Smith who has returned to the United States for an operation on his right shoulder.
Cayard is a six-time world champion
and a five-time America's Cup veteran.
He won the 1997/98 round-the-world race on EF Language beating Dalton's Merit Cup.
"I chased Paul around the world four years ago and I would rather have him sailing with me than against me," Dalton said today.
Cayard will take over Smith's tactical role working with navigator Roger Nilson. He will also have a role on deck.
Cayard is looking forward to the race.
"Leg four is the best leg of the race. It has it all... you start in pouring rain, sail through gales, 30
foot waves and ice, and finally finish in extreme heat," he said.
"I am looking forward to sailing with Grant and his team and racing for the Nautor Challenge."
Cayard is currently employed by the America's Cup syndicate Oracle Racing owned by software giant Larry Ellison.
Dalton said Cayard has been involved in the Nautor Challenge syndicate from its inception.
"We have conferred a number of times about various aspects of the campaign. He is also a board member of Nautors Swan and honorary chairman of Nautor Challenge," he said.
Leg four starts on January 27. The yachts are expected in Rio de Janeiro about February 19.
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