As the disaster unfolded on the Gulf, what was New Zealand watching? Advertisements.
TVNZ says it could not have foreseen the mast snapping when it crossed to an ad break.
Spokesman Glen Sowry said TVNZ went back to the live action as fast as possible.
He believed the ad break lasted no longerthan 20 seconds after the mast broke.
Mr Sowry said the yachts had been sailing in a straight line for several minutes and the ad break was taken before they reached the top mark.
"Our psychic powers did not extend to knowing the mast was going to break," he said.
TVNZ was also screening advertisements when NZL82's headsail was ripped from the deck in the calamitous first race.
In the red Shock - Alinghi's big-budget campaign is running at a loss.
Well, kind of.
Records filed with the Companies Office this year show Swiss America's Cup Team Ltd, a New Zealand company set up as part of the Alinghi challenge, was in the red for 2000 and 2001.
But with a billionaire backer promising to pay the bills, there's no suggestion that the company is in trouble.
And there is no evidence of Alinghi scrimping on anything.
Their base cost $3.1 million, chase boats and tenders $2 million, and $250,000 was spent on bonds for accommodation. Then there's $260,000 for the weather station that helped with the winning tactical decision at the start of race three.
Wonder how much they spent on their mast?
Ernesto's loss Ernesto Bertarelli had a good day on the water but a bad day at the office yesterday: Forbes magazine's annual list of billionaires had him falling 30 places from 34th, with US$8.4 billion to 64th with US$4.7 billion.
Now we know what he paid Russell and Brad.
Hand over
If Alinghi win today the official presentation of the America's Cup will take place about two hours after the race.
The trophy will be presented by the commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, Bill Endean, at the Viaduct.
Continuous coverage of today's America's Cup race will begin on nzherald.co.nz at 12.30pm.
