America's Cup... One of the most valued ownerships won and by far the most valued prize
in Sailing...
In May 1995, yachtsman Peter Blake skippered the Black Magic to glory over the Americans,
for only the second time in the race's 144-year history.
Back up a few years... by 1983 the America's Cup was something of a Holy Grail for New Zealanders. Perth Yacht Club's
questionable winged-keel Australia II tried to show that Americans didn't hold an inalienable right to the trophy.
Blake's win off San Diego earned New Zealand the honour of hosting the next Cup. In what was to be a 5-month
jibe-fest thru the scruffy fishing area known as Viaduct Harbour turned into a world class showcase with berths
for most boats, incredible views/apartments, and more cash then needed to be spent.
As usual in New Zealand, re-development didn't come easy. Maori groups with claims to the development sites struggled over land
ownership rights. Relations deteriorated so badly that in February 1997 a disgruntled
Maori smashed the America's Cup as it was
on display in the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron's clubhouse. (Fact For Knowledge - NZ was held responsible for the damage, which in the end cost about NZ$500,000... hmmm... taxpayers money, eh?)
Regardless, the Race went on in November 1999. With yachts filling every berth and the frenetic energy around the Viaduct, Auckland
had become the talk of the nation and the sailing world. A dozen overseas challengers took to the waters of the Hauraki Gulf to earn
the honor of competing in the Louis Vuitton Cup and the right to challenge the defender. Without much effort Russell Coutt's Team
New Zealand trounced the competition 5-0 in the best of nine series.
Here's where the gossip comes in... after winning with NZ, Coutts gave way to financial pressures and joined the Swiss team. wait wait wait...
Switzerland with a sailing team? i guess it can be done. and if you can pay enough (NZ$15 million) you can have the best team to race. it obviously
worked as Switzerland, a country with no ocean, managed to win last year's Cup.
Coutts has recieved death threats and had to pull his kids out of school. That's pushing it a bit far... How much would it
cost to buy you and your future and your children's future? Can you blame the guy? Yes he's defected in the eyes of the Kiwis,
but we're all human eh?
If you know of a great destination we're missing,
review it for us!!
|
