Dean Barker to Helm NY America’s Cup Bid

The New York Yacht Club (NYYC) has appointed Aucklander Dean Barker, 45, as helmsman of the US syndicate that will vie for the America’s Cup in Auckland in 2021.

The NYYC held the Auld Mug from 1851 to 1983, the longest winning streak in sporting history, and plan to pursue the trophy in Auckland for the first time since 2003 under the banner American Magic.

Syndicate head Terry Hutchinson said Barker had signed on, meaning the New Zealander will return to the familiar Auckland waters where he first learned to sail.

“There’s not many people in the world that have Dean’s level of experience,” Hutchinson said.

“For the role as one of the helmsmen for the team, that person needs to have big boats experience, they need to have foiling experience and they need to have event experience.

“There’s maybe four people in the world that tick all three of those boxes.”

Barker has been involved in five America’s Cup campaigns, four with Team New Zealand and one with Softbank Team Japan.

Original article by AFP, Daily Mail, May 2, 2018.