Sir Michael Fay yesterday urged New Zealanders to show in a "sporting way" their disapproval of the membership of the Alinghi team challenging for the America's Cup next month.
"I don't think we have to sit here silently," Fay, who was a prime mover in three of this country's attempts to
win the cup, told Radio Sport.
A significant portion of the Swiss-based Alinghi crew, including skipper Russell Coutts and afterguard member Brad Butterworth, were key members of Team New Zealand when they won the cup in 1995 and successfully defended it in 2000.
"Deep down we don't feel good about it," Fay said.
"I think deep down Kiwis are a bit upset, they're a bit frustrated, they're a bit nervous. It's a big event coming up. There's a lot at stake.
"Get in behind Team New Zealand, but at the same time don't hesitate to give the other fellows a very strong sporting message of disapproval."
New Zealand had been let down by the move of people such as Coutts and Butterworth to Alinghi, he said.
At the same time, it was good that the Swiss team and their boss, billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli, were in the event.
This country had encouraged Bertarelli to challenge, but that was different from the key issue that the Swiss challenge was largely being mounted by New Zealanders who had been expected to be on this country's side, Fay said.
The strong support shown by New Zealanders was a strength of their team's challenge, he added.
Traditionally, the cup had been a matter of intense national pride, with many issues at stake, including sailing skill, design and building.
But the big debate now was whether the America's Cup was an international event, he said, referring to the fact that several teams included professionals from a range of countries.
"That's a big issue for sport all round the world. It's a big issue for the cup. The cup hasn't traditionally been that way."
Since 1851 the America's Cup had been a contest of nation against nation. "You would be reluctant to change that formula."
At the same time, there were always sailors of different nationalities in competing teams.
Sir Michael compared the situation of Oracle's New Zealand skipper, Chris Dickson, who could not find a place in a syndicate from this country, with that of Alinghi. In the case of the Swiss team, the key players from the 2000 defence moved, when everyone had expected them to lead New Zealand again.
- NZPA
nzherald.co.nz/americascup
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Sir Michael Fay yesterday urged New Zealanders to show in a "sporting way" their disapproval of the membership of the Alinghi team challenging for the America's Cup next month.
"I don't think we have to sit here silently," Fay, who was a prime mover in three of this country's attempts to
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