Socking it to them with the right buzz of support

In 1995, Pippa Blake gave her husband a pair of plain red socks as a lucky charm before the America's Cup. Every time Peter Blake wore the socks, the black boat was victorious. The one day Blake and his socks sat out a race, the boat lost.

Since then, red socks became a national symbol of support for Team New Zealand throughout the 2000 and 2003 America's Cups.

This year, a giant buzzy bee hangs outside the Team NZ base in Valencia, which begs the question: Is it time for a new symbol of support?

We look at some possible new emblems to help Team New Zealand bring home the cup:

* Buzzy bee paraphernalia - hats, ties, earrings, badges.

* "Red Band" Skellerup gumboots. Classic Kiwiana.

* Red and black (Team NZ colours) "I love NZ" T-shirts. Based on the now-out-of-production Huffer T-shirt..

* Silver Fern flags worn as capes over black lycra outfits, to symbolise our boys' superhuman speed, strength and stealth.