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(Reuters) - Australian
yachtsman Jimmy Spithill has hailed Team New Zealand skipper
Peter Burling as "the best in the world" as the two prepare to
face off in the opening America's Cup races in Auckland on
Wednesday.
Spithill, a two-time winner of the Auld Mug as skipper of Team
Oracle, is co-helmsman for challengers Luna Rossa in the 36th
edition of the America's Cup, which had been due to start this
weekend.
Coronavirus restrictions have delayed the start until next week,
and Spithill was not underestimating the task that lies ahead of
the Italian team.
"Burling is the best in the world, without a doubt," Spithill
told New Zealand's Newstalk ZB radio.
"I've got a huge amount of respect for them ... they are good
mates of mine, an incredible team.
"We are going up against the world's best but that's what we
live for. If it was easy it wouldn't be worth doing.
"Both teams are fully set to go - it really can't come soon
enough."
Luna Rossa, skippered by Max Sirena, qualified for the America's
Cup match with a comprehensive 7-1 victory over Team Ineos in
the Prada Cup last month.
Team New Zealand go in as favourites but Spithill believes Luna
Rossa's need to qualify will cancel out any advantage the
holders gained watching their Prada Cup performances.
"They would have more data on us just from watching the
broadcasts ... you can hear what is happening on board so they
have that up their sleeve," Spithill added.
"But we've had real racing, that's the difference. It's a
double-edged sword. We've had sudden death, real pressure ...
they've had to train on their own."
(Reporting by Michael Church; editing by Richard Pullin)
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