Daily Photo – Replica America’s Cup

The other day a news item about the America’s Cup came on the television that did two things. Firstly, it reminded me that I had a photo of a replica America’s Cup I could share with you all, and secondly, it made me curious about who the current holder was. The reporter was broadcasting from Naples in Italy, which confused me somewhat as I thought New Zealand was the current holder of the ‘Auld Mug’. Clearly I’d lost touch with the event, I didn’t remember Italy winning it, though I also couldn’t recall New Zealand winning it either. Traditionally, the regatta has usually been held in the country of the holder, so I decided to take a moment to reacquaint myself with what exactly was going on.

The America’s Cup used to be a very big deal. The first time New Zealand won it there were parades and parties up and down the country. When we challenged for it in 1995 we all wore red socks, somehow believing this would make the boat go faster, though I’m still not entirely sure how! Now, 30 years later, I didn’t even know who held it. After some quick Googling, I was astonished to discover that not only were New Zealand the current holders, they had actually won the last three events. I then discovered the most recent regatta had been held in Barcelona. Instead of things beginning to make sense, I only became more confused. Why on earth would New Zealand be defending the America’s Cup in Barcelona and now Naples, instead of Auckland, a city that proudly claims to be ‘The City of Sails’? Intrigued, I kept reading and soon discovered that Team New Zealand had taken the America’s Cup to Europe for the same reason they took it to Barcelona last time: money. After the 2021 defence in Auckland, the Government was reluctant to contribute to the estimated $300 million it would cost to host another event. Meanwhile, Europe offered larger crowds, major sponsorship opportunities, and far better television audiences. From a business perspective, it made perfect sense.

So what it all boils down to is that New Zealand simply chose not to pay the enormous price tag required to host it. Now, I’m sorry, but when you can’t get a sailing event done in a city that calls itself ‘The City of Sails’ because it costs too much, there is something desperately wrong with the price tag of the sport, and it needs immediate attention. Not far from my home there’s a local yacht club that regularly holds regattas on the harbour, and they all seem pretty happy with the way things run. Just saying!