BlackHeart infuriates restaurant

By JULIE ASH

At least one of the America's Cup challengers has received an apology from embarrassed BlackHeart organisers after a bungled supporters' list infuriated a local restaurant.

The BlackHeart campaign, which prides itself on being passionately pro-Team New Zealand and against those who put money before their country, listed the popular Headquarters marina restaurant and bar on its "roll of honour" acknowledging it as one of its supporters.

But owner Paul Smit was not asked if he wanted to support the campaign and the restaurant is a favourite eating and drinking place for sailors from several syndicates.

Mr Smit, who says he is 100 per cent behind Team New Zealand but has friends in all the syndicates, left a message on the phone of BlackHeart spokesman Dave Walden asking for his restaurant to be removed from the roll.

He knew little about the campaign and was concerned it would affect his business.

BlackHeart removed the restaurant from the list then emailed at least one of the challengers a letter marked "apology".

The letter explained how "horrified and quite plainly furious" the restaurant had been at being included on the honour roll.

It went on to say it was a mistake that the restaurant appeared on the roll and BlackHeart hoped it had not harmed the challenger's "friendship" with the restaurant.

Mr Walden said one of his staff had been a little too enthusiastic in adding names to the roll of honour but now Headquarters had been removed. He was not aware if anyone from BlackHeart had emailed any of the challengers because the organisation was "a loose, unofficial organisation".

The letter to the challenger ended: "Good luck in the Louis Vuitton series. We are looking forward to Team New Zealand kicking your tail in the America's Cup."

The challenger was left wondering if Team New Zealand would be kicking the tail while coming from behind.

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