And we plan to keep it 25 years

By SUZANNE McFADDEN and PETER CALDER

Victorious Black Magic skipper Russell Coutts is looking forward to defending the America's Cup for at least a quarter of a century - and the first challenge is already in for the next regatta barely 21/2 years away.

As Black Magic NZL60 crossed the line to win the fifth consecutive race of the finals series and secure New Zealand's hold on the cup, the club behind the unsuccessful Prada bid issued its challenge for the next cup competition, which will begin in October 2002.

Bruno Calandriello of the small, exclusive Yacht Club Punta Ala of Italy handed Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron commodore Peter Kingston the so-called "hip-pocket challenge" on board the luxury motor yacht Spada.

But Coutts is confident that New Zealand is the home of the America's Cup and says Team New Zealand would like to be defending it 25 years from now, when he will be 63.

Within minutes of Black Magic's win, Coutts - who had handed the helm to his understudy, Dean Barker, for the regatta's final flourish - recalled Sir Michael Fay's assessment that New Zealand should hold the cup for 25 years. "That sounds pretty good to me," he said.

Asked whether he regretted that there were no close races in the first-to-five finals series, he said that a close race in 25 years' time would suit him just fine.

An ecstatic Coutts, drenched in champagne spray, said he had not imagined Team New Zealand repeating their whitewash of 1995.

"We were very worried about the Prada challenge. I didn't think in my wildest dreams we would win 5-0."

And Barker, who at 26 became yesterday the youngest sailor ever to helm a boat in a Cup match, described the victory as "out of this world."

"I was incredibly nervous five minutes before the race. I knew that if we lost I would look a bit silly."

Coutts praised Sir Peter Blake's efforts in making the America's Cup what it was in Auckland. "Anything we do in the future, we are going to have to be careful not to destroy the good work he has done," he said.

"It's going to be a hard act to follow. Boy, are we going to have a tough time doing it."

Yesterday's celebrations were twice as ecstatic as those in San Diego five years ago. "I haven't felt a much more emotional scene than that one," Coutts said, after battling his way through the frenzied masses.

Almost 80,000 people - more than saw in the New Year on the waterfront - flocked to the Viaduct Harbour and spectator boats formed a riotous welcome line as first Luna Rossa and then Black Magic returned just after 5 pm.

The black boat took two hours to negotiate its way back to the Viaduct, where it was greeted by a volley of cannon blast from old rival Dennis Conner as it pulled alongside a pontoon where the crew came under attack from the men of Prada, waiting with magnums of champagne.

Man of the moment Barker was the first on the podium, where Coutts enveloped him in a bear hug. The two helmsmen shared the honours of hoisting the Auld Mug amid a shower of red, white, green and black confetti.

The beaten Prada team were treated to a warm welcome and waved to the crowds, although the hunched form of syndicate boss Patrizio Bertelli on board Luna Rossa signalled the pain of a $100 million challenge which had come down to a clean sweep.

A downcast Prada skipper, Fran cesco de Angelis, was gracious in defeat. "Team New Zealand have given us a long list of things to work on in the future," he said. "I believe they sailed very well. They must have been very happy with the boat they had."

Bertelli vowed he would be back in 2002, a wiser man from his first crack at the Cup. "The most fundamental thing we learned is that you have to win races," he said.

Elsewhere in the American Express NZ Cup Village, Italian supporters were as gracious as their team. Mazzon Gerardo toasted Team New Zealand with three Italian friends at the Italian cafe Portofino Cucina.

"I'm an Italian. I love Luna Rossa, but Black Magic has won and they deserve the cup," Gerardo said.

Sir Peter, who is leaving Cup campaigning to others to captain the Cousteau Society's flagship, said the victory was his biggest achievement since 1995. "I'm leaving the America's Cup a very happy man."

Coutts' gesture in handing over the helm to Barker drew praise from Chris Dickson, who skippered several early challenges for the Cup.

"What incredible leadership to hand the reins over to Barker and step off the boat for the final and most rewarding race of all," he said.

"For Russell Coutts to give this up, as well as a winning record that would have changed the history books, is a move that has to be applauded."

Yesterday's baptism of Barker signals a changing of the guard, which will almost certainly see Coutts hand over the sailing reins to the younger man while he runs the defence effort with his tactician, Brad Butterworth, and navigator, Tom Schnackenberg.

Before the 2000 regatta had even been decided, the challenger and defender had agreed on changes to the format of the challenger series. Two round-robins will provide challengers with rankings, nationality rules will be clarified and restrictions will be placed on the transfer of information and technology between syndicates.

Even as victory celebrations got under way, there were predictions of a bonanza for Auckland from the win. Australian Peter Gilmour, who skippered the Nippon challenge, said there would be a ripple effect and new marinas would be built.

More than 30,000 people partied late into the night at Viaduct Harbour to celebrate the victory, cheering as a spectacular display of fireworks was launched from a barge near the entrance around 10 pm.

Police reported that crowds were boisterous but good-natured. About 10 people were arrested early in the evening for a variety of offences, including disorderly behaviour.