By TERRY MADDAFORD
Veteran America's Cup sailor Buddy Melges would like to see a "genuine all-American" challenge for the Auld Mug.
But he is not holding his breath.
"What do you refer to as an American crew any more, even when they are sailing American boats?" asked the 73-year-old, who is in Auckland
as a guest speaker at Yachting New Zealand's two-day high-performance summit.
"We are missing the friendly competition we once had between countries. Why, there are almost as many Australians and New Zealanders on our boats as Americans."
But, he admits, it might not be easy finding the support needed for a single challenge.
"You would have to get corporate America behind it," Melges said.
"At the moment the corporate money seems to be headed to Nascar. They are smoking the stadiums with people. The principals are standing in line to be part of it."
From Zenda, in Wisconsin, Melges said any future American challenge should be at the end of a six, rather than three or four-year programme.
"Any challenge should be a new one with fresh ideas.
"When you copy what someone else has done you only get as good as the one you are copying. I would want to try for a new concept.
"The Kiwis have done that better than anyone."
Melges is impressed with what New Zealand has achieved.
"New Zealand has shown the world it has the hotbed of sailing talent. You should be proud of it.
"I've just been down to the Viaduct Basin. It is a fabulous facility and, no doubt, helps bring the people in."
Of the match for the America's Cup, which starts tomorrow, Melges says it promises to be a fascinating contest.
"You have two kids brought up in this neck of the woods.
"They should know what conditions to expect. Any advantage that local knowledge might bring has been thrown out the window. It promises to be a level playing field."
Who, then, will win?
"Ask me that after the second tack on Saturday. In the limited coverage we got on television back home, we never did see the black boats out on the course.
"But, if the boats are even, then the Louis Vuitton winner should dominate. They have had the advantage of racing over a long period while for Team New Zealand their sailing has been a bit like going out and kissing your sister."
Melges, who was involved in the 1987 cup and in a number of cup regattas since, including coaching the all-female crew of Bill Koch's Mighty Mary in 1995, says he misses "the buzz the America's Cup brings."
He is adamant that the new cup class of boats should remain.
"It has to be a big boat. They are awesome and a real test for the men sailing them.
"In a 30 or 40-footer there is no overpowering by the crew over nature. In these boats there is always that opportunity."
Melges said his interest in the present contest waned when Paul Cayard "was taken off Oracle."
"My interest now is more in the equipment and how it works."
And the hula? "It looks pretty good to me. It will be interesting to see how it works in the varying conditions."
Like many, Melges thinks the race for the cup will be a "fun series."
"I just hope it does not turn into a drag race."
nzherald.co.nz/americascup
Racing schedule and results
By TERRY MADDAFORD
Veteran America's Cup sailor Buddy Melges would like to see a "genuine all-American" challenge for the Auld Mug.
But he is not holding his breath.
"What do you refer to as an American crew any more, even when they are sailing American boats?" asked the 73-year-old, who is in Auckland
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