Mark Orams: Dean Barker unlikely to remain as American Magic's helmsman
Weekend Sport with Jason Pine · Newstalk ZB
January 31, 20217m 10s
Show Notes
America's Cup teams are more likely to turn towards Olympic medalists and world champions when selecting helmsman in the future.
Dean Barker has said he is unsure whether he wants to go around for another America's Cup cycle.
The Kiwi helmsman's campaign with American Magic has ended after a 4-nil whitewash by Luna Rossa in the challenger semi-finals.
Barker says it's too soon to know what's next for him.
"America's Cup will never be out of system. I can't really say what the future holds right now. It takes it's toll, for sure."
AUT Sailing Professor Mark Orams told The Devlin Radio Show that this has been a three and a half year campaign that will need to be reviewed, not just the last few weeks, and Barker's future will be determined during that process.
However, he says that they need someone more like a Peter Burling as helmsman - younger, world champion, Olympic medallist - and American Magic has that in Paul Goodison.
"The future of the America's Cup sailors, in this foiling generation, doesn't look like a near 50-year-old, experienced statesman. It looks like a young up and coming guy, full of confidence, fighter-pilot type aggression in the way they approach the sailing."
"Dean Barker still has value - he's very experienced, very respected - but in my view, it would probably be more view as a coach or someone who sat on the management of the team."
He says there are 150 members of American Magic, not just Baker, but the helmsman usually gets most of the blame.
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Dean Barker has said he is unsure whether he wants to go around for another America's Cup cycle.
The Kiwi helmsman's campaign with American Magic has ended after a 4-nil whitewash by Luna Rossa in the challenger semi-finals.
Barker says it's too soon to know what's next for him.
"America's Cup will never be out of system. I can't really say what the future holds right now. It takes it's toll, for sure."
AUT Sailing Professor Mark Orams told The Devlin Radio Show that this has been a three and a half year campaign that will need to be reviewed, not just the last few weeks, and Barker's future will be determined during that process.
However, he says that they need someone more like a Peter Burling as helmsman - younger, world champion, Olympic medallist - and American Magic has that in Paul Goodison.
"The future of the America's Cup sailors, in this foiling generation, doesn't look like a near 50-year-old, experienced statesman. It looks like a young up and coming guy, full of confidence, fighter-pilot type aggression in the way they approach the sailing."
"Dean Barker still has value - he's very experienced, very respected - but in my view, it would probably be more view as a coach or someone who sat on the management of the team."
He says there are 150 members of American Magic, not just Baker, but the helmsman usually gets most of the blame.
LISTEN ABOVE
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