The best that can be said about this ill-fated Louis Vuitton Cup is that today, toi, toi, toi, should put an end to the haunting. If, as expected, the Kiwis beat Luna Rossa twice more, the challengers' trophy will be handed to them for a drink before being added to the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron's well-stocked trophy cabinet.
Yesterday's sixth race of the LVC final was hardly worth mentioning because it followed the usual script: it looked like it was father sailing against son. While the New Zealanders acted confidently - you could hear their self-assurance on the live soundtrack from the boat - the Italians were already served at the start because they set off at the disadvantaged end at high tide and immediately got caught in the downwinds of the Kiwis, who took advantage of the tide. "We can argue endlessly about our starts, but the harsh reality is that they (Team New Zealand) are going to beat us whether they're upwind or downwind," mocked a frustrated and disillusioned Chris Draper, who has the task of steering Luna Rossa's smart but inferior boat.
Barring any unforeseen mishaps or breakages, the Kiwis will finally seal the deal tomorrow when they take on defending Cup holders Oracle on 7 September. It's not just about the Victorian silver jug of the America's Cup, but about much more important things: an investment injection for the crippled New Zealand economy, which every sheep farmer, winemaker and boat builder is keen on, especially the government. Because if the Cup were to return to Auckland's Viaduct Basin, people, boats and business would follow it.
Secondly, it is about the way in which the traditional competition, which has been shipwrecked by all the good ideas under the aegis of Oracle boss Larry Ellison and his lieutenant Russell Coutts, is being continued. Leaving aside the clumsy manoeuvres in the organisation of this edition, there are a number of positives: without question, the regatta courses close to shore, the short races and the exquisite TV technology are a big step forward. It would also be easy to live with technically advanced, foiling multihulls. But the boats would have to become more robust and probably a little smaller to reduce costs. Only then will there be more teams at the starting line, competing in exciting and balanced races that will thrill the spectators on site and on the screens. The America's Cup World Series has shown how this can work with the AC45s.
However, such changes would be preceded by a fundamental decision: should the Cup really be an exciting regatta with a dozen teams that attracts a large amateur audience, or should it remain an exclusive rendezvous where the big billionaires have fun with the little ones?
The rest of the programme:
Sat. 24.8. Race 7 (13:10/22:10), Race 8 (14:10/23:10)
Sun. 25.8. Race 9* (13:10/22:10) Race 10* (14:10/23:10)
(* if necessary)
