Swiss army's knives are cutting deep

By ALAN PERROTT

Race three still has 400m to go, but a uniformed team member is already standing outside the Alinghi base having a cellphone discussion about when he might be heading home.

"Well, it's three-nil now, so if it's five-nil, we'll be out of here soon. The worst case is Sunday week."

Harumph.

A few metres away a small group of fans watches from a small stand across from a high-tech screen.

Compared to the big, open-air stand on Te Wero Island, this is breezy, shaded and far from any black flags - and that song.

They watch in silence. The only sign of mounting excitement is the speed some chew their gum - flags stay in their bags, bells are silent.

The instant the Canterbury-coloured boat crossed the line, two Alinghi team members dash outside and let rip with air horns as the team song booms around the Viaduct.

Supporters, now grinning, move out into the compound as the families of the crew and shore staff begin streaming down from their balcony. Many clang bells for all they're worth.

Adrian Manga stands out among the supporters. He has a Swiss flag draped over his shoulders, wears an Alinghi shirt, yet looks very Maori.

The 32-year-old from Gore has been living in northern Switzerland for 12 years and is back with his wife, Pascale, for the first time in three years to cheer his new team.

Mr Manga even salutes his heroes with a dinkum Kiwi sheep-whistle: "I told the wife, if you're going to support the team, you go the whole way."

But he's not happy with his old country.

"New Zealanders seem like poor sports," he says. "Last time, against Prada, they had the Italian flag flying from the harbour bridge. So what happened this time?"

And he doesn't want to hear any more bleating about Alinghi Kiwis.

"If New Zealand had dug a little deeper and tried to match the Alinghi offer, they might have stayed. Look at the New Zealand sponsors, those are big companies, so don't tell me the money wasn't there.

"You have to want it more."

But Hugo and Rita Kunzli aren't so taken with Alinghi. The Swiss couple have been cycling round the country and wanted to drop in on their team.

Mr Kunzli isn't very interested in yachting, but wears a Team New Zealand cap because he doesn't consider Alinghi represent his country.

"They are only about money," he says. "They have so much, they can buy whatever or whoever they need. [Alinghi] will win, but it will be sad for New Zealand."

Just up the road and blissfully unaware of the Swiss celebrations is local sparkie Morgan Decker.

But his role is just as symbolic. Mr Decker is cutting the power to the Oracle base. The curtain is already falling on America's Cup 2003.

Asked if he would consider serving his country by doing the same to the Swiss, Mr Decker shrugs and points at their hefty security guards.

Nearby, carpark security officer Baljinder Bhatti has divided his day between his tiny office and the television in the One World base.

He doesn't know much about yachting, but he knows it's buttering his bread.

"This is the first time I've really watched yachting," says Mr Bhatti, "but I am keeping the faith so I can keep my job. I'm loyal."

Seafood Bazaar employee Henry Kingi is only about 20m from the Team New Zealand base, but feels a million miles away.

"See that building? For the past three years that's all we have ever seen of the racing. We see the flag, we see Loyal and sometimes we see the top of the mast. That's it.

"We always hope there's no wind so we might be able to catch the end of the race when we get home."

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