There will not be a parade through central Auckland parade if Alinghi win the America's Cup.
Auckland City councillor and America's Cup co-ordinating committee member Scott Milne says, however, there are plans for a parade if Team New Zealand manages to defend the trophy.
"There won't be a parade down the
middle of the street for Alinghi," he said. "And I'm afraid there will be no parade for losers."
* * *
The New York Times has nailed its prediction to Alinghi's mast. In a story, headed "America's Cup Has the Whiff of a Rout", writer Warren St John tried to make the cup intelligible to American sports fans.
He wrote: "Only three races into a five-of-nine-race series, the America's Cup is beginning to feel like one of those Super Bowls where the team with the vaunted offence is thrown out of its rhythm in the first quarter by turnovers and mental mistakes and finds itself horribly behind before the fans at home have managed to get the nachos out of the microwave."
Quite.
* * *
Of course, the country hasn't given up yet.
Last night came the news that Sir Edmund Hillary phoned Dean Barker to give his words of advice.
Sir Edmund said: "I have a great deal of faith in their ability and I say to them to keep on trying to win."
Last night, the Sky Tower was emblazoned with laser images of the logos for Team New Zealand and Loyal.
And just to show its optimism, Sky City has announced all the days it could be "blacked out" - all the way through to March 5.
That seems a long, long way away now.
* * *
Could the secret to the whole Cup debacle lie in the wheel?
Take a look at Russell Coutts on Alinghi. He stands at the helm as if he should have one elbow out the window of a Mark II Zephyr.
Dean Barker, on the other hand, looks like the helm of Team New Zealand is about a foot too low and he has to stoop the whole way.
Memo to ACC: Watch for future back pain.
* * *
Finance Minister Michael Cullen held talks yesterday with his Australian counterpart Peter Costello. The cup was discussed.
Said Dr Cullen: "Peter pointed out that the man who lost the America's Cup was put in jail shortly afterwards ... being Alan Bond.
"And the Australian economy managed to do quite well despite losing the cup so there's some small glimmer of hope.
"And I'm still hopeful we can come back from that.
"If you're a member of the New Zealand Labour Party, you know that sometimes when you're 3-0 down you can still come back and win."
* * *
Prince Albert of Monaco is in Auckland for the yachting showdown, but Alinghi spokesman Bernard Schopfer says there have been no formal meetings between syndicate members and the prince of the European principality.
Monaco is keen to play host if Alinghi beat Team New Zealand and take the America's Cup home.
The official word was: "We have two more races to win and that's what we're concentrating on."
Continuous coverage of today's America's Cup race will begin on nzherald.co.nz at 12.30pm.
nzherald.co.nz/americascup
Racing schedule and results
There will not be a parade through central Auckland parade if Alinghi win the America's Cup.
Auckland City councillor and America's Cup co-ordinating committee member Scott Milne says, however, there are plans for a parade if Team New Zealand manages to defend the trophy.
"There won't be a parade down the
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