Off course: Resons to be cheerful

Cheer up. The sailing wasn't all bad. Here are 10 reasons to be cheerful.

1. Team NZ will never make THAT mistake again.

2. We've had the strongest and lightest winds of the racing range - Team NZ's favoured mid-strength winds must come soon.

3. It's only 1-0 on the actual sailing ledger.

4. We led for huge parts of the second race, so we know we can get ahead of them.

5. Our breakages have already occurred - Alinghi's luck can't hold out forever.

6. Serena Williams came back from 5-1 down and two match points against Kim Clijsters in their semi-final to blitz the Australian Open.

7. At least it's still summer in New Zealand, not winter in Switzerland.

8. Let's face it: it's a lot more interesting now than watching Prada lose last time.

9. New Zealanders are more comfortable being the underdog anyway.

10. And if we lose? Well, rents in the inner city might come down.

* * *

National MP Roger Sowry fainted on a flight from Auckland to Wellington after being on a boat watching Sunday's racing.

A spokeswoman for Mr Sowry said he slept on the plane, and fainted after waking and getting to his feet.

"It's not an unusual occurrence on planes. It's to do with the altitude," the spokeswoman said.

Mr Sowry recovered once cabin crew gave him oxygen, and he did not need to see a doctor, she said.

* * *

One of Auckland's prime Viaduct Harbour viewing platforms for the America's Cup has been almost blocked to the public and replaced by corporate tents.

The Hobson West extension borders the narrow channel through which the yachts will pass, and is traditionally the best place for Viaduct visitors to cheer sailing crew.

But Ports of Auckland, which owns the land, has erected two corporate marquees on the wharf, leaving only a narrow strip for the public.

Spokeswoman Bronwen Jones said one of the marquees was operated by the port company, and the other by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, the holder of the cup.

She said the squadron had asked for space on the wharf, and the port felt it was entitled to it.

* * *

Alinghi are now the hot favourites to win the first-to-five cup series.

Australian online bookmaker Centrebet is offering A$1.50 on Alinghi and A$2.40 for Team New Zealand.

This is a reversal of Friday night's odds, when Alinghi was the A$2.40 outsider and Team New Zealand were paying A$1.55.

nzherald.co.nz/americascup

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