Off course

Russell Coutts says he doesn't care about setting records for the most wins in an America's Cup, he just wants to win the trophy.

Writing in the English Daily Telegraph, Coutts said he was being compared to Scotsman Charlie Barr, whose 19th-century record of nine wins he beat at this regatta, but he thought a comparison with contemporary Dennis Conner might be more appropriate. "I'd rather win five races here, in this cup, than crack any records."

Coutts has never lost an America's Cup race, and now has 12 wins to his name.

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The belated appearance of the Swiss flag atop the Auckland Harbour Bridge has a simple explanation: it took a while to find one.

The flag was raised yesterday morning by Swiss Ambassador Sylvie Matteucci, who said it had had to be specially flown in from her homeland.

Last America's Cup, the Italian flag flew in support of the Prada syndicate from the start of the challenger series but this time the rival syndicate's flag appeared a week late.

Transit New Zealand is responsible for deciding what flags are flown on the bridge. A spokeswoman for chief executive Robin Dunlop said the Swiss flag was raised "in the interests of good sportsmanship". She said the "loyal" flag had been taken down because it was ripped.

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Aucklanders are well aware the America's Cup is on, but keen interest in the event is modest.

An Auckland City Council poll has found that just 3 per cent of Aucklanders do not know about the yacht race and that 38 per cent are "very interested" in it.

However, another 45 per cent say they are only "somewhat" interested and 16 per cent are not interested at all.

The telephone poll of 300 people, conducted just after the Louis Vuitton challengers' final, found 65 per cent of city residents had visited the Viaduct during the regatta.

One in four Aucklanders visits the area at least once a month.

Most people said they enjoyed the Viaduct, rating highly the atmosphere, looking at the racing boats and superyachts and the entertainment provided.

However, difficulties finding parking and the high price of food and drink were considered problems.

The overall satisfaction rating for the area averaged 4.2, out of a possible score of five.

The chairman of the city council's recreation and events committee, Scott Milne, said the results showed that Aucklanders loved hosting the America's Cup.

He said the survey also indicated that people wanted more events like it in Auckland.

Continuous coverage of today's America's Cup race will begin on nzherald.co.nz at 12.30pm.

nzherald.co.nz/americascup

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