Bruno Troublé - The Man at the Helm

Q: Will this Louis Vuitton Cup regatta be better than the international showcase of 1999?

A: "For sure, it will be one of the best regattas yet. Last time there was one strong challenger - Prada - which spent twice as much money as Team New Zealand. This time, because of the success of the last event, we are seeing the return of The Bees, the billionaires. It's very good for the sport of sailing."

Q: What has drawn the billionaires to Auckland for the 2003 Cup?

A: "The America's Cup has long been the playground not only of rich people, but for winners, like Lipton, Rockefeller, Bich and Gardini. Last time, we had Bertelli and Prada. Now they are joined by Bertarelli, Ellison, McCaw and others. Their return keeps to the tradition of the America's Cup and proves why the event is so special. They have come because people have told them the America's Cup is so hard to win. And they are winners, not losers."

Q: How do you feel being back in Auckland for a second time?

A: "Relaxed and positive coming into this regatta, something I attribute to having my family with me in Auckland. That, and the fact that Auckland provided such a superb venue last time round."

Q: How has Team New Zealand been affected by the mass defections of sailors and designers straight after the 2000 Cup?

A: "Team New Zealand still have some top sailors and they still have Tom Schnackenberg, who is my hero as an engineer. But they have lost good sailors and I think they might miss the late Sir Peter Blake as a leader. The challengers are a lot stronger this time around."

Q: So will we see the America's Cup moving to a new home in 2003?

A: "It does not mean that Team New Zealand have already lost. This is a team which has won 10 out of 10 races in the last two America's Cups. I hope the America's Cup stays here one more time. I love New Zealand - I think I am becoming more patriotic than a Kiwi!"