Clark has denied he is ready to mount a challenge for America's Cup 2003, despite emerging as a potential backer of Paul Cayard's AmericaOne team in the last Cup. Koch believes Clark is not the mystery moneyman. One reason given for the individual wanting to remain anonymous is that Cayard and Dennis Conner have sought funding from him in the past. Whoever it is, the repercussions for Team New Zealand are immense. Toast of their nation two months ago when a million people in four cities turned out to celebrate their second successive America's Cup victory, TNZ is now afflicted by conflicting pressures as the new guard of Russell Coutts, Brad Butterworth and Tom Schnackenberg battle for the funds to keep their team together.
Speculation is rife in Auckland as to who has been signed up.
What is known is that Reeves has approached 20 of the 30-strong sailing squad. Butterworth has been approached by Italy's Prada team while Dean Barker, Coutts' first reserve helmsman, is considered the most likely to be lured away, probably to Europe. Torben Grael, and to a lesser extent Francesco de Angelis' security at Prada is under threat, especially as the Italian team are one of four groups to have targeted Australian Peter Gilmour. Beashel is expected to appeal. The federation and Beashel have agreed to keep details of the protest confidential until after the appeal.