One in bank for Swiss

By HELEN TUNNAH and ANGELA GREGORY

A happy clanging of cow bells greeted Alinghi as they returned victorious from the first race of the Louis Vuitton finals yesterday, a pleasant change from the Swiss yacht's send-off earlier in the day.

Onlookers at the Viaduct Harbour gave the crew, led by former Team New Zealand skipper Russell Coutts, a roasting as they went out for the best-of-nine race series.

While most of the barracking was jovial, including "Hula, hula hula, New Zealand's gonna do ya", one man was spoken to by police.

"Coutts, you money-hungry mongrel," the man, wearing Team New Zealand colours, yelled to the helmsman who quit Team New Zealand after defending the America's Cup three years ago, signing a rumoured $11 million deal with the team of billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli.

Alinghi are strong favourites to win the series that will decide who challenges for the America's Cup, a favouritism reinforced by yesterday's comprehensive 1m 24s win over Oracle BMW Racing.

Returning to the Viaduct, Alinghi's crew stepped off the black and red boat beaming at their supporters on a balcony above, while about 80 members of the public gathered in an enclosure to clap them on.



Police security had been noticeably greater as Alinghi departed than it was when Oracle and Team New Zealand towed their boats out earlier in the morning.

Alinghi last month received letters threatening violence against crew's wives and children, and publicised the threats against police advice.

Mr Bertarelli was shadowed by guards at the Viaduct last week, and Alinghi have stepped up security at the base.

Police yesterday asked the man who abused Coutts to restrain his views. They said the man's manner verged on disorderly behaviour.

Senior Constable Peter Easton said police wanted to ensure any ill-feeling against the so-called defectors was kept in perspective.

The man told police it was his right to express his view.

"Which is quite right," said Mr Easton, " but there was a good mood there and that could have changed it."

Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron commodore Bill Endean, who heard the exchange, said later the man was allowed his opinion, but it was not the New Zealand way to abuse people.

"People are entitled to their view - they took five years of design advantage with them."

However, he predicted the developments of the past week, in which New Zealand unveiled their new false hull appendage, nicknamed the hula, might reduce people's fears about the Swiss team.

The first team to win five races will sail against Team New Zealand for the cup.

The crowds gathered around the viaduct to welcome the syndicates back in yesterday afternoon had been building since early morning, many visitors combining brunch with the spectacle of the spectator fleet's departure.

The mood was more relaxed than upbeat, even at the countdown to the race start. In front of the large television screen only a single cheer was heard and an Oracle supporter gave a brief flutter of her American flag.


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