The one million dollar brain drain

GBR Challenge are the latest to implicate Sean Reeves in a plot to sell Team New Zealand secrets for a cool million...

Former Team New Zealand rules adviser and lawyer Sean Reeves stands accused of attempting to sell design secrets to two challenger syndicates for $1 million.
First it was Oracle Racing's Chris Dickson who alleged that Reeves had offered $6 million worth of OneWorld technical secrets to him during the summer. Now GBR Challenge's general manager David Barnes has filed an affidavit with a US court, stating that Reeves made a similar offer to him.

A GBR Challenge insider told madforsailing: "He phoned David in June with an offer of Team New Zealand and OneWorld secrets for $1 million, although whether he was talking New Zealand or US currency is not clear."

Julia Harrison-Lee, GBR Challenge's legal counsel and daughter of Peter Harrison, commented: "David said the offer was illegal and morally and ethically wrong and was not going to be entertained in any manner, shape or form." Barnes advised Reeves as a friend not to proceed with his attempt to sell the secrets to him or to any other syndicate.

Barnes then let the matter lie until he became aware that OneWorld was going to sue Reeves over his actions. At that point, the GBR Challenge general manager decided to inform OneWorld of the conversation he had had with Reeves. OneWorld have applauded Barnes' evidence as a "conscientious and honourable disclosure".

Barnes's declaration will be heard in a court case due to be heard in Washington this Monday between Reeves and representatives of OneWorld, the Seattle-based syndicate that Reeves was instrumental in setting up last year, but with which he is likely to be on anything but good terms now.

According to New Zealand TV station, TVNZ, which has obtained a copy of Barnes's affidavit, the GBR Challenge general manager alleges that Reeves was offering measurement details for the four black boats - NZL 32, 38, 57 and 60. There was also extensive information about the revolutionary Millennium Rig.

Barnes said Reeves was also offering details of OneWorld's plans. Barnes continues in his sworn statement that he told Reeves it was illegal for him to receive the information under the America's Cup protocol and he also said Reeves's reply was that there were ways around that.

When he heard about OneWorld's legal action against Reeves, Barnes decided to provide the information to OneWorld for submission to the court.

This is not the first time Reeves' name has been at the centre of Team New Zealand controversy. Click on page 2 to find out more about this former Youth World Champion...