America's Cup: Cyclist van Velthooven lured to sailing full-time

AUCKLAND, NZL – Cycling has probably seen the last of Olympic medallist Simon van Velthooven -- he's been well and truly bitten by the sailing bug. Van Velthooven, who took keirin bronze at the 2012 London Olympics, became one of the secret weapons in Team New Zealand's arsenal, as they snatched the America's Cup off Oracle Team USA off Bermuda this week. While rivals stuck to traditional arm-grinding systems to generate power around their high-speed catamarans, the Kiwis revolutionised the event by introducing a cycle system that proved far more efficient. Van Velthooven and Olympic rower Joe Sullivan were non-sailors recruited to the Emirates Team NZ engine room, but the former now plans to swap his bike full-time for something that floats. –New Zealand Herald report on Sunday of Mr Velthooven's interview with Newstalk ZB radio's Tony Veitch. Full story.

Cyclist Simon Van Velthooven with the America's Cup. Photo: Photosport via the NZ Herald