Bubbles and tears at Viaduct

By JULIE ASH

While the Swedes broke out the bubbly after their win in the quarter-finals of the Louis Vuitton challenger series, supporters of France's Le Defi Areva and Britain's GBR Challenge yesterday struggled to hold back tears of realisation that their America's Cup dream was over.

The French were beaten by Sweden's Victory Challenge and GBR Challenge lost to Team Dennis Conner, handing the Swedes and Americans 4-1 victories in the best- of-seven series.

Team Dennis Conner and Victory Challenge now head into the quarter-final repechages, where they will face either Prada or OneWorld.

With disappointment written all over their faces, the GBR and Le Defi crews acknowledged their supporters as they sailed back into the Viaduct Basin for the last time.

GBR skipper Ian Walker took some comfort from his one-year-old daughter, Zoe, who joined him on GBR70.

"I don't cry very often but today I had a tear in my eye when we went out and I had a tear in my eye when we came back," Walker said.

"You realise just how much this means to a lot of people. But when we look back on this we will look back with pride and, as someone joked on the way in, we will have more time than the rest to prepare for the next one."

Backed by computer network millionaire Peter Harrison, GBR Challenge was the first British entry since 1987.

Originally a one-boat campaign, at the last minute they decided to bring their second yacht, GBR78, which was rumoured to be sporting a tandem keel, to Auckland. The boat was never used.

"If there are any lessons learned, you have to start early and get your boat here early," Harrison said.

GBR Challenge said its NZ$70 million campaign would be a stepping stone for the future.

Harrison, who as 17th man perched on the back of the boat on a specially built plastic chair, said that, with the help of sponsors, he would like to challenge again.

"I have enjoyed it immensely. It is disappointing that it has come to an end but, it has to come to an end as there is only one winner.

" Given that, I am prepared to put in additional money and carry the campaign on but I do need partners and sponsors to join me."

Harrison said the GBR team would stay in Auckland until December 31 and start preparing for the next cup.

For the French, semifinalists in the last series, this event has not gone anywhere as smoothly.

Their fluorescent green yacht FRA69 was always down on speed and they were unable to cement a strong afterguard.

In the first round, skipper Luc Pillot replaced Philippe Presti on the helm, moving forward from the tactician's role. A month later and just three days before the quarter-finals, Presti was back as skipper/helmsman and Pillot was dropped.

Off the water the French struggled to find funding - their budget was NZ$50 million - and, when they did, their Areva nuclear sponsorship got them offside with Greenpeace, whose inflatable protest boat collided with the yacht at its launch in Lorient, France.

Greenpeace New Zealand welcomed them to Auckland with more protests - and hampers of kiwifruit wine and New Zealand cheeses.

Le Defi head Xavier de Lesquen said a lack of time due to late funding was a big problem for his team.

"It has been wonderful to be part of this regatta. We have been late with our programme for sure, but now we have to think about the future," he said.

"We know to compete with the other teams we have to be better prepared."

Le Defi's sailors enjoyed a quiet beer with their Swedish conquerors after being eliminated, and de Lesquen said he was glad the French had sailed in Auckland, despite their problems, against the best teams in the world.

nzherald.co.nz/americascup

Racing schedule, results and standings