Former America's Cup skipper Chris Dickson isn't surprised by Team New Zealand's plans to promote Peter Burling, saying he is the right man for the job.
Glenn Ashby led the campaign in Bermuda - but a Facebook slip-up by tactician Ray Davies revealed change is in the wind.
"He (Burling) was here yesterday, and he's going to be part of the team," Davies said in a Facebook live interview. "Really exciting times for the team and, yeah we have, he's going to be the skipper.
"We're looking forward to rebuilding from what we had in Bermuda and taking it to another level again, and we're very excited about the sailing team we have."
But according to Dickson, Ashby has been under the impression that he will remain as skipper.
Dickson told Trackside Radio Burling is the right man to lead Team New Zealand going forward.
"Over a month ago, Glenn Ashby who skippered in Bermuda said he was going to be skipper and that it was all agreed - just not signed and sealed," he told Trackside Radio.
"There are two people who think they are going to be skipper and that doesn't quite work.
"We know that Peter Burling is the right guy to step up into the skipper role as well. He is out there doing the hard years, and certainly, no one in New Zealand is going to be grumbling if Peter Burling is confirmed.
"Peter Burling is the right man for the job."
Dickson believes there is one quality that makes Burling the best man to help New Zealand defend the Auld Mug.
"Peter Burling is in his prime. He is doing every kind of sailing you can think of, the Olympic yachting, the foiling moths, he is out there competing in the Volvo Ocean Race, and he has won the America's Cup.
"He has the best track record in the world in a number of disciplines, and that makes him the top guy out there."
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