I think it’s safe to say that when Tom Whidden speaks, most listen. He has accomplished much in this sport, and as is the president/CEO of North Marine Group, he is a solid and respected member of the industry. Whatever one thinks of North, it would be hard to find a better spokesman than Tom. Our babe Down Under, Laurie Fullerton sat down with Tom to talk to SA about the Cup, the past, present and future of the marine industry, and his prediction for who will win yachting’s most coveted trophy. Enjoy.

Having participated in eight America's Cups, how would you describe this 2002-3 event for you overall and for you individually?

TW
It was one of the less rewarding from a performance standpoint. Dennis Conner gave us a lot to work with this time and we under-performed and we had some bad breaks. We started late, and without money to commit to at the start it isn't as good. I take some blame and maybe I didn't create the environment for the team to perform at their best level. We had a great team. We performed less well than we should have on paper and when you add up the components sometimes it just doesn't click.

Does Dennis Conner or Team Dennis Conner have any solid plans at the moment to launch another campaign?

TW
A solid no. But, I know a lot of the Team Dennis Conner guys will say the Cup gets in your blood. I've sailed in five cups with Dennis Conner teams. You get it in your blood. Trust me. There's nothing like sailing in the Cup and there is nothing like it when you are doing well. Dennis Conner is still clearly a talent and a force and it would be the America's Cup loss if he weren't in it. Dennis Conner's name gets mentioned in the USA whenever the America's Cup is mentioned. If he can raise the money he will come back.

Over the past six or seven years, sailing has become a truly professional sport. But, in your mind do you think we will ever see a controversy like the Team New Zealand, Russell Coutts and Brad Butterworth situation again in the sport? What have we learned from this?

TW
Like any sport, it evolves. You go across these thresholds where things have to change. From 12 meters to the IACC we had the big boat issues and the catamaran and that had to evolve. We have had big talks about nationality issues and that will have to evolve next time. We are going through that controversy now. In New Zealand, a small country, they are particularly sensitive to the Brad and Russell issue. Yes, they went for the power and money and whatever else they say is just added stuff. To criticize someone for it is not good. They have done a wonderful job at Alinghi.

How might you speculate about New Zealand's future in the maritime industry without the America's Cup? How does a place like Newport, Rhode Island compare?

TW
There are two things that are requirements of a marine center. One is base of expertise and knowledge and the other is competency. It is one thing to have expertise and knowledge and know what to do with it. Rhode Island has been great to the boating industry. And, Rhode Islanders have a similar "can do" attitude like Aucklanders. With or without the Cup, the marine industry will thrive here. They have a pricing advantage and a dollar NZ buys a lot here.

Do you think one area of the country loses to other regions when it comes to America's Cup level boat building, sail making etc. Or are regional differences a non-issue?

TW
Everyone tends to think his or her own area is where it is at. North Marine Group is headquartered in Connecticut and New England because it is a wonderful place to live and sail. If you put all the things together - wonderful place and great place to sail - it makes sense. But, we are moving our entire spar making division to New Zealand.

Is there a word to describe the passion New Zealand has for sailing? Is there a comparable passion for it in the USA?

TW
No. No it's not similar in the USA. There are pockets where it is similar. We spend lots of money trying to promote youth sailing. We put a lot into sailing through North Marine Group and we wish others would do more. Here in New Zealand there is a lot of passion and it is real. The people here are very accepting and help anyone from any walk of life to get into sailing.

One thing about New Zealand that is unique is that there is a lot of pride to being a yachtie here. It is a much more prestigious job than in the USA. All things worth pursuing in life take passion to do well at on a high level. That's why they've been so successful in the marine industry and in sailing. Because New Zealanders have a passion for it.

Do you think the enthusiasm for the Cup will ever be as big in the USA again?

TW
If the USA won it and it was a popular campaign, yes, they would capture the attention of the nation.

Would you recommend being in the marine industry to anyone just starting out?

TW
To be a supplier for the America's Cup team you have to make sure you are squared away and if you don't cut it, they will get rid of you fast. I continually learn. The sophistication in this Cup is much higher than it's ever been. The ability for teams to model and analyze is amazing. The sails and the rig will now be looked at together. Our real business is mast making and sail making. The amount of manpower and resources is huge. We hope what we learn here trickles down to the rest of the market. Seventy five percent of this is research and development and 25 percent is making use of it in the total market. A lot of what we learn here ends up on cruising boats. The irony is it's all quite closely connected to what ends up on cruising boats.

A career in the marine industry has been wonderful. I love it. I have been rewarded and am able to make a decent living. If you want a real job - sail making or spar making is a great job. If you want to be involved in the America's Cup, go straight to a team and say I will start wherever. It is not as easy anymore to get into the AC arena through traditional sail making positions.

What are some of your most memorable moments is sailing?

TW
The America's Cup in Newport holds some of my fondest memories. I don't think Newport appreciated what we had until it was gone. The America's Cup brings us wonderful stories, and people ranging from Larry Ellison to the King of Spain. It breaks down barriers between people. Sailing is very good in that way. Sailing is very clean and gives people access to things that they wouldn't have access to otherwise. Having access to sailing is phenomenal and being involved in this sport will enhance your life.

Who do you think is going to win: Team New Zealand or Alinghi?

TW
If it is a boat speed contest - whoever has the faster boat will win. In modern times, that is the way it goes. In simple terms, the Hula has given the boat the ability to be very fast in heavy air. The innovation of the hula is that they have lengthened the boat without losing the sail area. It is pretty clever. If it's a sailboat race, it could be Russell and Alinghi. In a sense, he is the father of the New Zealand team who are sailing today. It is difficult to beat your father.