His America's Cup career may be in limbo but Cameron Appleton is proving he can mix it with the best in the Auckland Match Racing Cup.
Appleton was told on Boxing Day that his services were no longer required by French syndicate K-Challenge.
The team, whose future appears shaky, terminated
his contract and those of 10 others, blaming a lack of cash.
Appleton has a release letter from K-Challenge and is keen to join another team.
It is understood a syndicate would have to ask permission from the America's Cup jury to hire him.
Appleton's performance so far in the ISAF grade one regatta may give syndicates something to think about.
After 11 of 18 round robin races, Appleton is in third place with seven wins and four losses.
Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker won all five of his races on the Waitemata Harbour yesterday, two of which were over BMW Oracle skipper Chris Dickson.
Barker leads the competition with 10 wins.
Appleton was tied with Barker for the lead on the opening day but lost to Britain's Ian Williams and Barker twice yesterday.
"We haven't started the boat as well as we could of," Appleton said. "We missed some opportunities in the pre-start and the conditions the way they are today mean it is pretty much a start-winning dominated race track."
Barker and his crew of Terry Hutchinson, Jarred Henderson, James Dagg and Don Cowie are in a class of their own at the starts.
The only skipper to cause them any concern yesterday was Dickson who in their first encounter of the day appeared to have Barker pinned against the committee boat.
However the Oracle skipper went a little too far, clipping Barker's boat which incurred a penalty.
The second race between the two was a lot tighter after a more even start. Barker held a narrow lead around the first mark and managed to secure enough breeze to maintain a comfortable lead over his opponent through to the finish.
The battle of the day was between Dickson and his Oracle teammate, Frenchman Bertrand Pace.
Dickson was penalised at the start for tacking too close. He led Pace to the finish line but lost the race in the process of performing his penalty turn at which point Pace whipped off his cap and wiped his brow.
After a dismal first day, Alinghi helmsman Ed Baird turned his fortunes around winning all five of his races yesterday, proving he is by no means out.
The competition continues until Sunday.
Standings
Dean Barker 10 wins, Bertrand Pace 8, Cameron Appleton 7, Ed Baird 6, Chris Dickson 6, Mathieu Richard 6, Ian Williams 6, Sebastian Col 4, Magnus Holmberg 2, Staffan Lindberg 0
His America's Cup career may be in limbo but Cameron Appleton is proving he can mix it with the best in the Auckland Match Racing Cup.
Appleton was told on Boxing Day that his services were no longer required by French syndicate K-Challenge.
The team, whose future appears shaky, terminated
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.