Wearing your Cup team on your sleeve

By ALAN PERROTT

Each Louis Vuitton syndicate boasts one: a pokey little shop selling monogrammed caps, T-shirts, jackets and at least temporary allegiance to their cause.

The names may change, but there is little to tell the differences between most challenger styles on offer - much like the yachts. And like the boats, the clothes are mainly big ticket items, especially compared with other leisure wear on the market.

First boat out of dock is Stars & Stripes and the spirit of self-proclaimed Mr America's Cup Dennis Conner is everywhere.

Everything is red, white and blue.

A cap will set you back a reasonable $20, polo shirts are $99 and the heavy jackets are $549 or $699.

Best item on offer: US flag bandannas. But for a fan's fan, don't let the $2000 price tag put you off a truly awful autographed Conner print.

In contrast Le Defi's fashion statement follows their garish yacht and offers the only relief from the standard uniform colours of the other competitors - Soft blues, browns and mushroom shades on the right side of pastel.

Caps are either $45 or $55, jackets at $399, and long-sleeved shirts for $159.

Nicely accented French shop assistant as well. Pity they could end up going home early.

Neighbouring Victory Challenge are stoically Scandinavian. These clothes will keep you warm and dry, no doubt about it, even if there is a concern over the pillaging of our basic black.

A cap will set you back $40, jackets are about $299, and those without sleeves are $159.

Next door at GBR it's all black, grey, white and blue.

A cap is $39, jackets $359, sweat shirts $159, and a generously sized shot glass is $7.95. There's also an unpriced, boxed gumboot.

Then there is Alinghi and judging by their interactive funpark these people have serious money.

Once you get past the grinding machine, bowman experience and race simulator it comes as no surprise to find they have developed possibly the only interesting shade of grey in the world.

Their selection comes in various washed out shades, with caps at $35, jackets at $195 and long sleeved sports shirts coming in at $145.

It wasn't a good day for the OneWorld staff, they had just lost, but were still happy to demonstrate the best way to wear a $70 cap.

Also available: OneWorld disposable cameras at $25 and OneWorld croakies - stretchy cord so you can hang your glasses around your neck - for $10.

Jackets are $550.

Mascalzone Latino. Three words: fire engine red. Apparently it makes cars go faster, but fails miserably on yachts. A bright red cap costs $55, a bright red jacket $265 and a bright red polo shirt $121. Standing next to a bandsaw would be more soothing.

Oracle stock funky, sci-fi lighters for $25 and odd doodads to hang your ID card from for $20.

Their caps come in at $50, rugby-type shirts are $145, quality T-shirts $60 and jackets $670. Did like the lighter though and their shop has television and music.

The new kid on the block is Prada. They only set up shop three weeks ago, there's no sign and I've hidden in bigger cupboards.

Like their fellow Italians they have some odd prices. A cap is $71, and there's no haggling that $1 away. Long-sleeved shirts are $189 or $156 without sleeves. Polarised sunnies start at $330 and they have one style of sports shoe, in black or white, for $500. More shoes are coming, and don't worry, they will cost more.

And when the Louis Vuitton is finished and the America's Cup proper begins there's always Team New Zealand.

The shop not only contains the requisite T-shirts ($39), caps ($49) and jackets ($320), they also stock a fine range of exotic condiments and chocolates at $14.95 each and official team can openers for $7.50.

Like the rest of the syndicate outlets, nobody was queuing to snap up the Team New Zealand gear on a sunny Thursday.

In fact, the shops were mostly empty.

nzherald.co.nz/americascup

Racing schedule, results and standings