Yachting: Team NZ tactician Hutchinson quits after terms and conditions wrangle

Disappointment shows on the faces of tactician Terry Hutchinson and skipper Dean Barker after Emirates Team NZ's loss to Alinghi. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Team New Zealand tactician Terry Hutchinson has quit the syndicate after failing to agree on terms and conditions.

The American joined Team New Zealand in 2004 and sailed in all the pre-regattas, the Louis Vuitton Challenger series and the America's Cup match.

While there is no doubting the contribution that Hutchinson made to syndicate during that time, some believe his decision-making in the America's Cup match against Alinghi was a contributing factor, along with Alinghi's small boat speed advantage, in their 5-2 loss.

Hutchinson resigned from the team yesterday.

It is unclear if he has signed with another syndicate but with so many teams on the market for sailors it is expected the experienced 39 year-old will be picked up quickly.

Hutchinson said he believed Team New Zealand achieved a great deal during the last campaign.

"It was a good run and a hard-fought regatta," he said.

"While disappointed that I could not come to a satisfactory arrangement with the management, the success of the campaign has created an amazing number of opportunities that I am now free to explore."

While losing Hutchinson is not ideal for Team New Zealand considering there are so few top rate cup tacticians, they do have the option of moving strategist Ray Davies into the role.

Davies was one of the standout performers for the syndicate in the last campaign and his calm nature and sailing nous would make him a prime candidate to replace Hutchinson.

Team New Zealand managing director Grant Dalton acknowledged the contribution Hutchinson made to the team.

"Terry was an integral part of the rebuilding process that led to the team winning the Louis Vuitton Cup. His commitment was total and his ability and experience were vital to the 2007 afterguard. We wish him well."