Emirates Team NZ Managing Director Grant Dalton said the team was now in a position to formally announce its campaign. “We believe that we can mount a credible challenge which will have a very good chance of winning the America’s Cup. That’s our mission and that is the expectation of our sponsors, partners, suppliers and the people of New Zealand. It is an expectation that every member of this team is determined to fulfil.”

“Racing in catamarans will make the 34th America’s Cup very different than the 32nd at Valencia in 2007. In 2013, teams will be racing 72ft catamarans. Design, engineering, logistics, and sailing skills are very different.

“To handle this new challenge we have assembled a very accomplished group of people both on and off the water. The Emirates Team New Zealand design team now numbers more than 30 designers, engineers and people who bring specialist multihull knowledge and skills. They have been working on the 72ft catamaran for some months and we believe we are right on the pace.

“Our sailing team is working to acquire the skills and experience necessary to compete well. Six months ago Dean Barker raced in a multihull regatta for the first time. Last weekend he, James Dagg, Jeremy Lomas and Glenn Ashby were second in an Extreme Sailing Series regatta in China. Results in the A Class catamaran regattas in Australia earlier this year were remarkable,” Dalton said.

“Today, we announce with confidence that we will compete in the 2013 America’s Cup. We thank our loyal sponsors, our partners and our suppliers for backing the team since Valencia in 2007. Emirates Airline, our naming sponsor since 2004, Toyota New Zealand, a sponsor for 20 years, Omega, the prestigious Swiss watchmaker, a sponsor since 1995 and the New Zealand Government.”

For more, visit www.americascup.com.

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