There is a number of interesting points that come out of the report. First, as Dean Barker states it is "absolutely not right" that Emirates Team New Zealand will close shop after yesterday's announcement. According to Barker the team is intact, although Grant Dalton, the team's general manager, and the the directors have the difficult task of finding ways to stretch a two-year budget into three or four years.
As a results, contracts will have to be reviewed, not only for the New Zealand challenger, but also for Alinghi, as Hamish Ross, the Defender's general counsel, states. Not only that, but Ross goes on to state that "Ernesto is footing the bill. The buck stops with Ernesto."
Finally, as Tasker reports from the Emirates Team New Zealand base, given the fact all teams realize the next America' Cup will take place in the new AC90 boats, the kiwi challenger is putting a "huge" effort on design. While its sailor contracts are put into a "sleep mode" the design team has trebled in size!
Video copyright TV New Zealand
