Sales race shows up line between haves, have-nots

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Take a wander down syndicate row and it quickly becomes apparent this is indeed a sporting contest for the haves and have-nots.

Outside Team Dennis Conner's Stars and Stripes compound is a row of new cars, including some flashy four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Not far away, propped up against the wall of France's Le Defi Areva's base, 20 or 30 bicycles.

Conner, heading the New York Yacht Club's challenge, has an estimated budget of around $85 million. The French weigh in at $50 million - the smallest budget, apparently - of the nine syndicates.

Step inside the merchandising shops which are a necessary part of this sporting bonanza and the differences remain evident.

A top-of-the-line jacket emblazoned "Stars and Stripes" and produced by United States clothing giant Nautica will set you back a cool $699. Of course, there are "cheapies" - at $599 and $549.

Further along the row in Britain's GBR Challenge shop the most expensive jacket is a snip at $349.

"A lot are buying that," said shop minder Kelly Lees, who is spending time in Auckland with husband Joe - a painter/laminator and part of the GBR syndicate's shore crew - and their 3-year-old son.

"This shop was open from November to April last summer and we did really well over Christmas," Lees said.

"A lot of New Zealanders came in to buy things to send back to Britain."

And their biggest seller?

"The T-shirts [at $39] for sure. With GBR in bold letters across the front, it's obvious who they're supporting," Lees said.

"There are a lot of expats here who have been very supportive. The biggest surprise for me has been the number of Italians and French who have been buying here."

The GBR clothing is supplied by Auckland-based company Line 7 as part of a licensing agreement with clothing brand Musto.

While the various items of clothing come in at the higher end of the price list, the British, like all syndicates, have a wide variety of merchandise (including shooter glasses at $7.95) to which, by next week, will be added pins, pens and keyrings.

"It has been an amazing atmosphere," said Lees yesterday as the British prepare for their first challenge in 16 years.

"I can't conceive what it is going to be like tomorrow."

Some players in the merchandise race have missed the boat.

The Swedes, for instance, were still hastily building their shop yesterday - and the French had a "closed" sign on theirs.

But on one thing the rivals for the Kiwi dollar were agreed: the biggest players in this market are Team New Zealand.

Their top-of-the-line jacket comes in at $400 - the same price tag as last time - while at 50c a postcard is their cheapest item.

A spokesman said the interest had built over the past month, with the shop "definitely busier than three years ago."

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