American Magic and Luna Rossa in action during the semifinals of the Prada Cup. Photo / Dean Purcell
As an avid reader of the Herald I have read and listened to some commentary about where the America's Cup may or may not go if it is again won by New Zealand.
The One Ton Cup has been in existence for almost as long as the America's Cup. The difference is that it is governed not by the holder or the challenger but by the Cercle de la Voile de Paris who own it. They decide on the venue and the type of yacht that will compete. It has been won more than 100 times, by 13 different countries in nine different classes of yachts, starting with the One Ton Yachts in 1899 to the Class 40s today.
In 1969, when I won the One Ton Cup with Rainbow II, it came to Auckland for the next event. That event was raced for in a new class of yacht and it was won by Stormy Petrel from Sydney. The following year it was raced for in Sydney and I won it again, this time with Waianiwa. The powers that controlled the cup decided that it was time for the One Ton Cup to go back to Europe so that my defence of the cup was in Sardinia.
The America's Cup seems to be a little like a "misguided missile" and, as I understand it, this is because the winner has pretty much full control over what, where, and how the next event will be held.
It seems to me, as a bit of an ancient mariner, that the America's Cup would be far better off if it was governed by an international body who decided the when, where and how, as opposed to the holder at any given time.
This is not a criticism of the present yachts or the present venue, it is just an opinion that a different venue each time for the event and a little control over the type of yacht, along with the cost involved, would be better for the event as a whole.
Chris Bouzaid, Auckland
The rumble and roar of a gang of Harleys hooning past can titillate the deepest human emotions ...
Is it the sheer power of revving pistons, the old film Easy Rider, or the absolute invasion of throbbing noise in an otherwise quiet day?
I noticed the other day that mufflers have been removed so we get the full quadraphonic, low decibel ear blast...
Either the Ministry of Transport needs to check their WoFs or somehow educate these boys that making a lot of noise is really childish in order to gain attention and let the world know they have a new noisy, deep-throated, 1200cc toy.
Rob Buchanan, Kerikeri
I find it incredible that the tourism industry is calling out for visitors and yet such people are denied entry to New Zealand.
I refer to the Americans from Antarctica, probably the safest people on Earth, who are unable to spend their hard-earned currency where we so desperately need it.
What is wrong with the people in Wellington? Can they not see what goes on around the country? Perhaps some new staff would help and get rid of the incompetents at present employed.
Or perhaps the Prime Minister could take action and ensure that these visitors are cleared to travel in New Zealand.
But I won't hold my breath.
Norm Empson, Tauranga
Many of us would argue that it's better late than never to stop utterly absurd alcohol sponsorship and advertising.
Your three correspondents (NZ Herald, February 9) are singing from the same song sheet, virtually accusing the Government of inaction, when all research (and commonsense) has repeatedly demonstrated the widespread damage that alcohol causes. From domestic violence, all the way to early onset of Alzheimer's, dementia and cancer.
Since we have all now learned that alcohol, sugars and acidic foods (besides stress) are the main grounds for cancerous cell growth, where lies our responsibility?
And, for example, when a tennis or golf tournament is called "Heineken Open", does it not give anyone enough reason to frown?
Come on, Jacinda, get rid of this absolutely stupid form of creating more long-term health carnage and burdening our health system with largely preventable illnesses.
Rene Blezer, Taupō
There are solutions to curtail carbon emissions from geothermal, coal and gas-fired electricity generation highlighted by the Climate Change Commission.
One is to incentivise household solar energy installation, as has happened elsewhere in the world, by providing a tax rebate on household solar panels.
In America there is currently a federal tax rebate of 26 per cent, reducing to 22 per cent in 2022 for a new installation. A tax abatement exists, in some states, on the installation cost of 5 per cent over four years.
There is also net metering, whereby electricity is returned to the grid and the consumer only pays for the net power used.
These sort of incentives would see a surge in solar energy household installations and a reduction in carbon emissions from generation, a better return for the homeowner and extra capacity returned to the grid for use by others.
Barry Hunter, Mangawhai
A woman's right to be heard equitably whether speaking, writing or demonstrating, at the pulpit, on the marae or in our own Herald, is a very long time coming. All these outlets are centres of learning and are often presented nationwide as "normal" behaviour.
It is not. Women stand proudly as great achievers, excellent orators and writers of renown but are given less opportunity to be heard. It is time this is recognised and given equal representation.
The New Zealand Herald in particular is influential and could achieve a more balanced view as it reaches a diverse audience, with distribution covering most New Zealanders. At the moment though, their content, mostly in the World, Sports and Business sections is nearly always about men, by men.
Letters of thought, disgust, anger and frustration are, in the main, written by men. One wonders how long people need to adjust and make these considerable changes which recognise the same worth in our women as given to our men. This show of fairness may even filter out into our wider community.
Emma Mackintosh, Birkenhead
Those fit and healthy cycle riders who find the new Tāmaki cycleway rough should try the footpaths in some of our suburbs.
Patched, uneven and potholed, not only mothers with prams and the frail elderly but all users must be aware that it is only too easy to trip.
There was once a programme for gradual footpath re-laying but, while roads and cycleways get improved, even drivers and cyclists must become pedestrians at times.
I would find a new footpath, even with a few bumps, an improvement on my present one.
P. Belsham, Mt Albert
The teeth-gnashing over the Air New Zealand repair contract is sheer hypocrisy by the Greens and others.
No concerns over China's treatment of Hong Kong, to say nothing of forced removals and mistreatment of their subjects.
Is it because Saudi has very little trade in comparison with China?
Time to call a spade a spade.
Avi Modlin, Ōrewa
On a recent trip on the Northern Explorer, despite prominent advice that it is a requirement to wear a mask, at a rough count only a little more than half complied. The situation did not change even after the train manager twice offered non-wearers the option.
An intermittent wearer with a persistent throaty cough then decided to remove his mask permanently, spreading the debris from his cough far and wide. One has to ask what is the point of a law designed to protect the majority when it is not enforced.
Neal McCarthy, Auckland Central
On vaccine management
Peter Dunne lays bare the Government's cynical politicised management of the Covid-19 Medsafe vaccination approval process. He said: "By drawing out an announcement (of Medsafe's approval)... that anyone with any knowledge of these issues knew was always going to be an approval of the vaccine, the Government was able to keep the focus on itself and then look like the good guys." A government expending energy on artifice is a government of flimflam, not one of substance. We deserve better.
Larry Mitchell, Rothesay Bay
On our less-than-golden mile
Is Auckland City's Golden Mile losing its lustre? No! The lustre went long ago. Queen St has been a dirty and unattractive place for many years.
Kathleen Sunderland, Hobsonville Point
On salary donations
The failure of so many highly paid people to follow our PM's example to donate a portion of their salaries brings to my mind Gibbon's comment about his Oxford tutor who "well remembered that he had a salary to receive and only forgot that he had a duty to perform".
Peter Levin, Taupiri
On Saudi connection
If it is unacceptable for Air NZ to service Saudi engines, should it be unacceptable for the NZ public to buy Saudi petrol? That would get us on to our bicycles.
Andrew Tichbon, Green Bay
A Porirua winner has claimed a $17.2 million Lotto Powerball prize.