Shortly before the 25th anniversary of New Zealand's first America's Cup victory on 13 May 1995, New Zealand's team bossYACHT online one of his rather rare interviews. The 62-year-old had achieved world fame as a seven-time circumnavigator and had already been part of the winning crew on Cornelis van Rietschoten's legendary "Flyer II" in 1981/1982, before joining Emirates Team New Zealand in 2003 and steering the team through all the ups and downs since then. After a series of low blows, "Dalts" fulfilled his mission in 2017 off Bermuda, when the Kiwis reclaimed "their" silver jug lost in 2003 with a brilliant victory over Larry Ellison's Oracle Team USA. With the America's Cup finally in his hands, silent tears of happiness and relief streamed down the face of the hardened sailor on the party stage in Bermuda. In March 2021, the successful defence is now set to take place in the Hauraki Gulf off Auckland. In times of the coronavirus pandemic, this is a demanding challenge in more ways than one.
Mr Dalton, what do you think of New Zealand's first America's Cup triumph, which was completed 25 years ago on 13 May 1995?
I don't think there are many Kiwis who lived back then who don't remember our victory in 1995. Like every time we compete in the America's Cup, the country literally comes to a standstill.
What has the first Cup win done for New Zealand and the sport of sailing in your country?
So many things! They say that success always generates new success. That is certainly the case with us. There has always been a huge interest in sailing in New Zealand. Before that, however, it was mainly linked to the Whitbread Round the World Race. That led to the America's Cup, since New Zealand took part for the first time in 1987. The America's Cup then fuelled the country's imagination in the years leading up to 1995. When we won, it was gigantic. There wasn't a person in New Zealand who didn't know about it. It put sailing even more in the spotlight. The kids all wanted to start sailing. For the good guys, sailing became a viable career. You can see that today at all levels of sailing. And of course with guys like Peter Burling or Josh Junior, all reigning world champions, who were little kids when New Zealand won the Cup in 1995.
You led Emirates Team New Zealand through thick and thin after taking over as CEO following the 2003 defeat on home turf, suffered two very painful defeats and finally experienced the sweet victory off Bermuda. Her own tears on receiving the silver jug in Bermuda were the silent witnesses to a 14-year sporting and emotional rollercoaster ride. This brought the team and you personally full circle. At the age of 62, what still drives you to continue leading Emirates Team New Zealand?
There was certainly this element of unfinished business on the road to Bermuda 2017. First there was the narrow defeat in Valencia in 2007 and then San Francisco in 2013, where we came as close as we could to winning but couldn't do it. I can assure you that we weren't lacking in motivation in everything we then faced. After winning in Bermuda, there was suddenly a new motivation: to bring the Cup to New Zealand and create the best possible event with the most revolutionary boats in the AC75 class to put on a spectacle so that the eyes of the world are on our little country as we fight to win the Cup again. Having said that, the team itself really is a great source of motivation. We have incredible talent on the board, in all departments. It's very inspiring to see this team renewing itself and working towards a clearly defined goal.
Where does your team stand ten months before the 36th America's Cup duel off Auckland in March 2021?
I think I already hinted at that in my previous answer. I think we have the strongest team we could possibly have for this campaign. I know for a fact that we have made a big step forward since Bermuda. That obviously had to happen, otherwise we wouldn't be in a good position in defence next year. Our chances? Who knows... That's always the beauty and magic of the America's Cup: You never have any significant realisation of where you stand. Not until the first race in the America's Cup match. You can hypothesise all you want, but you never know for sure. Beyond these thoughts, we are in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic that has turned the world upside down. We've had to cancel two America's Cup World Series regattas that might have provided some insights. Now the teams will meet on the water for the first time in December(Editor: The plan is to organise the last remaining regatta of the America's Cup World Series off Auckland after the cancellations)- just a few weeks before the main event. This means that the teams are pretty much on their own in this edition and in this situation, having to make decisions and reassure themselves all the time. In this respect, I think it will be a fascinating America's Cup.
Has the coronavirus pandemic changed the distribution of chances among the three challengers and your team as the defender?
Who knows. It has certainly changed the plans of all the teams in a significant way. Our first AC75 yacht completed a six-month round trip through Europe and back. We lost six weeks and thus around 8000 man-hours of construction time for our second AC75 yacht. These are facts that have not exactly improved our chances. Having said that, of course all teams are affected. Some more than others. In fact, the winner of this America's Cup edition will probably be the team that can cope with the changes and adapt best under the given circumstances.
Many major sporting events and prestigious regattas have had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. How jeopardised is the staging of the America's Cup 2021 from today's perspective?
It is quite clear that Covid-19 is affecting pretty much everything. And on a global scale. We are in the fortunate position that we have obviously managed the pandemic quite effectively as a country so far. From an event perspective, it's clear that all stakeholders are motivated and committed to organising the America's Cup next summer.(Ed.: Winter/Spring in Europe)to be carried out.
What will be the most important strengths of a team in the battle to win the 36th America's Cup?
The same as always: good design, innovation, a fast boat, good sailors. And adaptability.
Will the legendary red socks play a role for your team again?
The red socks are a gift that keeps on giving. It all started when Peter Blake(Editor: who received the socks as a gift from his wife Pippa)did not wear it in a race in the 1995 Louis Vuitton Cup. It was one of the very few races that could not be won. After that, the red socks suddenly rose like a rocket to become an almost iconic Kiwi symbol. The public brings them out every time the America's Cup is on. The red socks are one of those things that will always be there as long as there is a New Zealand team in the America's Cup.
Do you see a favourite for the Prada Cup challenger series among your three possible opponents for the Cup duel - the British Ineos Team UK with Sir Ben Ainslie, American Magic from the New York Yacht Club with skipper Terry Hutchinson and Patrizio Bertelli's Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team?
It's difficult to say. They all make a strong impression. At the end of the day, we have to compete against the strongest team. So we have to be better than all of them if we want to successfully defend the America's Cup in March.
What do you find so fascinating about the America's Cup?
Obviously the history of the regatta as the oldest trophy in international sport, dating back even before the American Civil War. That's amazing when you think about it. Then there's the fact that this competition has been synonymous with technology and a powerful driver of innovation ever since. And then, of course, the knowledge of how damn difficult it is to win the America's Cup every time.
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
