America’s Cup 2021: Dean Barker reacts to American Magic’s loss in the Prada Cup and their future in the America’s Cup

Dean Barker is getting closer to waiting and seeing his future in the America’s Cup, after the end of the American Magic campaign on Saturday.

The New York-based union lost both races, the second after a serious team failure, to confirm a 4-0 loss in the Prada Cup semifinals to Luna Rossa.

Barker has been at the forefront of the American campaign, as the helmsman and senior leader of the group, and the excitement was still alive hours after the race.

Barker is one of the great Cup survivors (he has led a boat in every race since 2000, apart from the Deed of Gift challenge in 2010), but he didn’t know if he wanted to commit to another cycle.

“With these things you never think about the next thing, because all you care about is trying to win,” Barker said. “Going out today, I still believed we had a good chance to move forward. We came out with the right attitude and we didn’t.

“It’s going to take some time to reflect on all this and decide exactly what is the right thing to do next. You just don’t give yourself a moment to think about it.”

Barker admitted that the pursuit of the Cup was almost like a drug, but the 47-year-old also has family considerations.

“The America’s Cup will never be out of my system,” Barker said. “[But] I can’t really say what the future holds right now. It sure takes its toll; I have four kids and a wife who have been incredibly supportive of me over many years and I really need to spend some time with them too … so who knows?

“I really want to be a good father, as well as compete, so we’ll see what happens.”

The New York union was always the favorite heading into the Prada Cup semifinal, given the many problems that followed the near collapse less than two weeks ago.

But their competition ended on a sad note, with a gear failure in race four compounding their misery as the bank system was not working properly.

It was difficult to accept, for a team seen as the favorites before the Prada Cup, and Barker was understandably excited.

“Pretty gutted to see it all end here,” Barker said. “Obviously we didn’t have our best day yesterday and trying to get back on the water and sail in a strong breeze was always going to be quite challenging.

“It was shaping up to be a good last race, but to have the [foil] Singing system problems was disappointing. “

Barker said the nine days of potential development they missed due to the rollover were ultimately terminal to their hopes.

“The biggest problem it faces is wasting those days in the water, where ideally it would continue to thrive,” Barker said. “We probably underestimate the impact it could have had, when you see how far Luna Rossa has come.”

American Magic captain Terry Hutchinson made it clear that he would like to return for the 37th America’s Cup, wherever he is, but said it was a decision by the team directors and the New York Yacht Club.

He also seemed to rule out any chance of competing or training against the New Zealand team in the coming weeks.

“In fairness to all competitors, my initial thought is that it is not the right thing to do,” Hutchinson said. “We have to be respectful to Ineos and Luna Rossa as well. They have skin in the game, and my initial thought is that it doesn’t seem like it feels right. At that point, you’re just interfering with the future of the competition and that it’s not us.” .

Are you going to compete in the Cup?

• Give yourself enough time and consider taking a ferry, train or bus to see the Cup.

• Make sure your AT HOP card is in your pocket. It is the best way to ride.

• Don’t forget to scan QR codes with the NZ COVID Tracer app when you are on public transportation and enter America’s Cup Village.

• For more ways to enjoy race day, visit at.govt.nz/americascup.