The move could be the ultimate proof of New Zealand's depth and team concept, because Coutts was poised to make America's Cup history. Wednesday's victory in Race 4 was Coutts' ninth straight in the America's Cup finals, tying the record set by Charlie Barker in 1903. Barker skippered three straight 3-0 winners for the New York Yacht Club.

Coutts skippered New Zealand to a 5-0 win over Dennis Conner in 1995 off San Diego.

Coutts raised the possibility earlier in the series against Italy's Luna Rossa that he could give Barker, 26, a turn behind the wheel of the 75-foot yacht.

Many thought that might come in Race 4, but with light, shifty wind on the Hauraki Gulf, Coutts was behind the wheel, winning on his 38th birthday for a 4-0 lead in the first-to-5 series.

Thursday's forecast was for heavier wind.

Although Barker, 26, is in his first America's Cup campaign, he's one of the world's top match-racing skippers. An Auckland native, he is a former world youth champion.

Coutts hinted Thursday night that he might make the change, saying that it would also be Barker's choice if he wanted to take the wheel.

"I can think of easier situations for him to go into," Coutts said.

Coutts has been there before, taking the wheel from Rod Davis as New Zealand floundered against Italy in the 1992 challenger finals.

"I have experienced it, and it's not easy when you're going into the America's Cup cold," Coutts said. "But I have tremendous respect for his ability."

Barker has been credited with helping sharpen Coutts' skills during the last two years of training.

There were no changes aboard Luna Rossa, whose crew was sharply criticized by syndicate head Patrizio Bertelli after failing to cover Black Magic in Race 4, allowing the Kiwis to take a lead they never gave up.

Bertelli said his crew, led by skipper Francesco de Angelis and tactician Torben Grael, was guilty of "suicidal tactics" that gave away the race.