Yachting: Public almost stir crazy after long, torturous wait since San Diego

By Suzanne McFadden

Does anyone have any idea who will triumph out of AmericaOne and Prada - or is everyone concerned only that Dennis Conner won't be challenging Team New Zealand for the America's Cup?

General Kiwi reactions to the Louis Vuitton Cup final starting tomorrow have been either (a) what a shame Conner isn't sailing, or (b) isn't it good Dirty Den isn't sailing.

But the way things are looking, the Louis Vuitton winner could be the next Conner - Paul Cayard.

The unveiling of the keels last Friday revealed a little about the feelings in the neighbouring camps.

To say Prada's unveiling was understated would be an understatement. It more resembled a wake than a celebration. The observers were filing past the boat like it was a coffin.

Over the fence, the Americans threw a party with loud music, and Cayard was pressing the flesh with the crowd.

AmericaOne are brash and confident; Prada are subdued, yet sure.

Team New Zealand are enthralled spectators, but they reckon they will not go stir crazy waiting to find out who their opponents are.

Yet it is obvious that the Black Magic crew - and for that matter, the New Zealand public - want the Cup match tomorrow.

We have waited five long years to get to February 19, 2000, and now the wait has turned into torture.

Imagine how it is for the guys on the black boats. They are virtually ready - as fast as they will ever be, according to Sir Peter Blake.

There are those, from both sides of the fence, who say that if the America's Cup was raced tomorrow, in winds around 20 knots, Team New Zealand would win 5-0.

The time has come to stop developing bits on the boat. The last month will be spent racing amongst themselves, and finally settling on the match boat, the sail wardrobe and the No 1 racing crew.

But do not extend too much sympathy - they made their own nest when they chose to be the sole defender and set a race date five years ahead.

So I asked Team New Zealand skipper Russell Coutts who he thinks will win the battle of the challengers. He was typically non-committal: "I have my opinions but I'm not sharing them."

So whom would he rather sail against in the Cup? "Both will be tough to beat, and whoever we sail against will be the best challenger."

What about what Prada has over AmericaOne? "They have had time on their side - time to develop their rigs - and a boat that is almost the complete package, good in all conditions.

"There have been questions about their crew, but they're good. I mean, Torben Grael has three Olympic medals - he has one of the best records here."

What does AmericaOne have over Prada? "They have a great sailing team and the boat looks pretty solid too."

And how about a punt on the winning scoreline? "It won't necessarily be a close score, but each of the races will be very, very tight."

So, it seems, nobody has any idea. Or if they do, they're not telling.