Team New Zealand chief executive Grant Dalton believes it would be a mistake to discard INEOS Team UK as contenders ahead of the challenger series to decide who meets the host syndicate for the America's Cup.
Photo: Emirates Team New Zealand
The British team were well off the pace in the December regatta, suffering a major setback with 'Britannia' losing each of their World Series races.
Team NZ dominated but Dalton told The Times it wouldn't be right to write off Team UK.
"It wouldn't be fair, it wouldn't be right and with the talent behind that organisation, you write them off at your peril," he said, highlighting the influence of skipper Ben Ainslie.
"The one thing you can never dismiss or ignore is the fact that Ben is the most decorated Olympic yachtsman in history.
"That comes with fun tickets - the guy is really good. So I just never, ever dismiss him. The guy is determined as hell."
Dalton said Ainslie was coping well with the disappointment of his team losing all their warm-up races.
"I think he's handling it really well.
"I didn't know they are saying it's a siege mentality in their team but that doesn't surprise me because my philosophy with this campaign is the same."
The challenger series - which involves the British team as well as Italy's Luna Rossa and American Magic - runs from January 15 till February 22.
The winner will then face defenders Team NZ from March 6.
- Reuters