Lifestyle  - Emirates Team New Zealand : DALTON URGES YOUNG DUBAI SAILING TALENT TO AIM FOR AMERICA’S CUP PLACE

Grant Dalton, Managing Director of Emirates Team New Zealand, today urged Dubai’s best young sailing talent to capitalise on the backing they receive in the emirate and aim for a place in the America’s Cup.

Dalton says the youth training programme developed by Dubai International Marine Club and supported consistently by Emirates Airline could provide a passage into the top flight of sailing for local youngsters.

"There’s some good talent here and I want these young sailors in Dubai to aspire to be involved in the America’s Cup in the way a young footballer would want to play for Arsenal or a racing car enthusiast to drive in F1," said the Emirates Team New Zealand boss.

He was speaking on the first day of a Pro-Am series of match races off DIMC in which Emirates Airline guests and media are having the chance to perform in actual race conditions alongside ten members of the Emirates Team NZ crew.

Dalton said: "There has been a steady progression of sailing in Dubai and that’s great to see because if it went too fast you would not have promoted the sport to Emiratis and really put the foundations down for future success."

Grant Dalton – urges Dubai’s young sailing talent to aim for a place in the America’s Cup

"Sailing is a natural fit for Dubai with the history here and I can only look at DIMC and think what a great job they’re doing. Each time I come out here there are more boats, and with Emirates Team New Zealand being the top of the food chain we want to help promote this."

Dalton coordinates 110 full time staff that promote, design, maintain and race in events around the world with the ultimate goal of winning the America’s Cup, which happens every four years.

He is confident that his team can regain the next America’s Cup, which is the Superbowl of sailing, in Valencia, Spain in 2007. Professional teams representing 12 countries compete for points in the Luis Vuitton Trophy to earn the right to challenge the current holders of the America’s Cup for their title.

Dalton said: "We’re the top challenger in the Louis Vuitton Trophy and things are looking very good for us. Our preparations for 2007 are going well."

For the public watching the team in action in Dubai and the invited guests, the Pro-Am provides a great insight into match race sailing, the format used in the America’s Cup.

Headed by Dalton, the full Emirates Team New Zealand line-up in Dubai is Stu Bettany, Jeremy Lomas, Grant Loretz, Matthew Mason, Chris Ward, Andy Fenwick, Andrew McLean, Andrew Hemmings and Tony Thomas.

The match racing continues off DIMC over the next two days with two sessions, from 9am-12pm and 1.30pm-4.30pm.


- Tony Lewis, Total Communications -