Fuente info Scuttlebutt Europe
Grant Dalton Confirms Discussions With Telefonica On Volvo Ocean Race
Emirates Team NZ CEO, Grant Dalton has confirmed to Sail-World that he has been in discussion with Spanish telco Telefonica regarding an involvement in the next Volvo Ocean Race.
Dalton would not disclose the specifics of his involvement, saying: 'It is no secret of my desire to be involved in the Volvo Ocean Race and yes I have spoken to Telefonica. There is no commitment at this stage from either party. I have also stated a number of times that Emirates Team New Zealand should consider expanding its horizons, the successful TP52 season is an example of that and the Volvo Ocean Race must be considered as well.'
Sail-World has spoken to several international media sources who confirmed their belief that Dalton was discussing a CEO and skipper role with Telefonica who had two entries in the last edition Volvo Ocean Race.
While many of those spoken to by Sail-World believed Dalton was to depart Emirates Team New Zealand, it is not believed that this is the case. Dalton is expected to drop back into a role for the professional team, similar to that adopted by Sir Peter Blake in the 2000 America's Cup Defence in New Zealand, leaving Dean Barker as skipper and Kevin Shoebridge in an Operations role. Dalton would obviously have a more hands on role with the Volvo Ocean Race type projects.
The next three editions of the Volvo Ocean race are scheduled to be run out of Alicante, Spain, and local interest in Spain is running high, with long term commitments being made by teams. In the previous edition, Telefonica Blue (Bouwe Bekking) finished third overall, with a largely Spanish crewed Telefonica Black (Fernando Echavarri) finished sixth in the eight strong fleet.
Clearly Telefonica will be looking to boost their performance in the next race, and the Team New Zealand relationship, combined with Dalton's Round the World experience could provide that lift.
Alternatively, if the next America's Cup were deferred until 2013, then Dalton could both work with Telefonica and remain with the team in a similar role Sir Peter Blake in the buildup to 2000 America's Cup, but leaving the TP52 competition and Louis Vuitton Trophy campaigning in the hands of Barker and Shoebridge.
An agreement is expected to be signed next week, followed by a definitive announcement. -- Richard Gladwell, www.sail-world.com/USA/Grant-Dalton
