Weekend Rewind: Here we come and we are sailing

Sailing Away, 1986. Photo / NZOS

Opinion

Over the past 30 years, capturing the Auld Mug has become something of a national obsession in New Zealand. While our America's Cup fortunes may have waxed and waned, our love of sailing has held strong, as evidenced by a steady stream of screen tributes.

In 1986, a who's who of local celebs raised their voices in patriotic fervour, borrowing the melody of Pokarekare Ana, and rallying support for our first ever America's Cup challenge "in a boat just called New Zealand". The bid may have failed, but Sailing Away was a winner, spending nine consecutive weeks at the top of the charts. Those who can be seen jostling for camera time in the accompanying video include Dave Dobbyn, Tim Finn, Bunny Walters, Annie Crummer, Precious McKenzie, assorted other sports people, TV presenters and musos, and a not particularly tuneful Barry Crump.

Watch the Sailing Away video here:

Also created in support of our first bid, Billy T James America's Cup Challenge sees the comedian explain the Cup's rules and strategy in his legendary style, travelling to Fremantle to meet members of the NZ team including skipper Chris Dickson and backer Michael Fay. Needless to say, the rules have changed since then!

Watch Billy T James America's Cup Challenge here:

The controversy of the 1988 Cup resulted in one of our most memorable local television moments. When asked during an interview to apologise for his cheating use of a catamaran, and disparaging comments against the NZ team, US skipper Dennis Conner stormed out of the Holmes studio, making numerous headlines, and ensuring an ongoing audience for the freshly debuted show.

See Dennis Conner on Holmes here:

Made following his tragic death at the hands of pirates in the Amazon, The Boy From Bayswater profiles the life of Sir Peter Blake. From his Waitematā sailing childhood to Round the World racing; leading Team New Zealand to double America's Cup victory, to the setting up of Blakexpeditions: the documentary uses archive footage and interviews with crew, mates and family to honour New Zealand's most celebrated sailor.

Watch Sir Peter Blake - The Boy From Bayswater here:

Made in 1974, The Hum follows Kiwi sailing legend Geoff Stagg and his veteran ocean-racing crew as they put his yacht Whispers through her paces. Dolphins, Cook Strait squalls, streaking, ciggies, and some fierce 70s moustaches are captured, all part of the lure of a sport the narrator likens to "standing in a cold shower in a raincoat ripping up dollar notes".

Watch The Hum here:

You can see more Kiwi sailing treasures here, in NZ On Screen's Spotlight.