The prospects of Team New Zealand competing in the next America's Cup in San Francisco in 2013 have received a major boost.
The team's main sponsor Emirates airline has announced its continued support.
Team New Zealand has paid the initial fee to the America's Cup Race Management to secure the use of a supplied AC45 catamaran which the team has been sailing.
The AC45 is an interim vessel which will be used in build-up regattas enabling crews to get used to the type of vessel ahead of the America's Cup, which will be sailed in a new class of boat the AC72.
Team New Zealand syndicate manager Grant Dalton says they're currently developing the sailing team while the design team is working through concepts for the AC72 catamaran and they'll make a further announcement on their involvement in the 2013 event in a couple of months.
