Rookie at Helm as Kiwis Repeat

With a 26-year-old rookie at Black Magic’s helm, New Zealand sailed into America’s Cup history today by becoming the first country other than the United States to successfully defend the oldest trophy in sports.

In a move that probably only the Kiwis could pull off, veteran skipper Russell Coutts stepped aside hours before Race 5 in favor of his protege, Dean Barker. The Auckland native made his first America’s Cup race a memorable one, the clincher of a 5-0 sweep of Italy’s Luna Rossa.

Coutts could have become the first skipper to win 10 consecutive America’s Cup races. Instead, he watched from a chase boat on the gray, blustery Hauraki Gulf as the Kiwis sailed the untouchable Black Magic to their second consecutive 5-0 final, assuring that the 149-year-old America’s Cup will remain at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.

“This morning Russell [Coutts] asked me if I wanted to go and race. How do you turn down an opportunity like that?” Barker said. “It’s an amazing feeling to finish this off.”

Counseled by veteran tactician Brad Butterworth, Barker showed the same unflappable demeanor as Coutts in steering Black Magic to a 48-second victory.

“Team New Zealand is the all important thing,” Coutts said. “Look at them--we’re a great team. We’re people who work together well and that’s what it’s all about.” Sail trimmer Simon Daubney added: “A lot of people might say it’s some sort of arrogance, but when it works, you can get away with it. It really is a team concept.”