The prodigal son

Ed Gorman spoke to Alinghi skipper Russell Coutts about favouritism, building a team from scratch and his return to Auckland

mfs: It will be your call?

RC: I have a fair say on who gets on the boat but, in the end, it will be a consensus decision too.

mfs: You have been involved in the Cup for a hell of a long time. You first came into it in 1985. But I get the impression that your personal drive and excitement has been rejuvenated by your involvement with Alinghi.

RC: Yes very much so. To be honest with you I'm not sure I would have done a fantastic job if I'd just kept doing the same thing. Again, in hindsight, it was time for a change for me and, if I had continued with Team New Zealand, I probably would have changed my role anyway for that reason. But this is great. I'm really enjoying the sailing again and I am remotivated and recharged.

mfs: There has been some nastiness around, though, about your move. Initially New Zealand went almost into shock when you left TNZ and then recently there was the drama when your family came and took some pictures at the base. I know you're putting a very good spin on it, but it can't have been all that easy for you at times.

RC: Honestly, it's been pretty positive. When I see people and the public, I've only had one negative comment in the time that I've been with this team and that was flying into New Zealand on Air New Zealand. I was standing there waiting at the bathroom with a group of other people and this one guy looked at me and he said, dead-pan serious: 'You've got a cheek coming back here.' (Russell is laughing) And I looked at him and I said: 'Why is that? Haven't I done enough?'. (More laughter). He just looked at me and didn't know what to say and the other guys had a bit of a laugh. It's certainly been overblown and it's probably been hyped up a little bit too.

mfs: Thanks a lot Russell.