The fireworks were soon exploding when BlackHeart stalwart and radio sports jock Murray Deaker and Alinghi media man Bernard Schopfer bumped into each other at the America's Cup Ball.
Filmed by a mystery man sporting a video camera, Schopfer asked the Newstalk ZB host why he was so one-sided in hiscomments on the America's Cup, suggesting a more neutral stance might be in order.
Typical, snorted Deaker. You Swiss couldn't make up your mind whom to support in World War II, either.
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It has not only been desperate yachting syndicates crying foul. Several Viaduct Harbour eateries have complained to police of diners ordering top-shelf meals and then skipping off without paying, leading to some excellent bursts of onshore speed and rapid gybing. One young man's alleged feeding frenzy has already ended; he is due to appear in court on a charge of credit by fraud. Venue owners say anyone caught doing the same will be banned from the Viaduct until Dennis Conner wins the cup again.
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Launched in 2001, Silvertip was built by Beach Haven-based New Zealand Yachting Developments and received the prestigious 2002 Showboats Award. The title was for the best sail yacht under 38m, with an emphasis on interior and exterior detail, use of technology and the standard of finish. The 33.8m yacht has a European owner who requested a fast, ocean-going vessel that cruises independently for long periods. His demands meant 18 months of design testing before construction could even begin.
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And the cup goes to:
Team New Zealand, 5-0.
Former America's Cup skipper Dawn Riley thinks Alinghi will lose in a whitewash.
"I think the Team New Zealand boat is going to be faster.
"The only danger is how aggressive Russell [Coutts] and Brad Butterworth are going to be in the pre-start."
