Cup sailor victim of burglar

By SCOTT MacLEOD

A burglar has stolen a safe containing irreplaceable trophy watches from the home of America's Cup yachtsman Brad Butterworth.

The thief broke into Butterworth's Parnell home on August 2, leaving with a portable safe containing six watches, an antique silver egg-cup and spoon and the keys to a Range Rover car.

Three of the watches were presented to Butterworth for his part in winning major trophies, including the America's Cup in 1995, with Team New Zealand.

Butterworth, a tactician, joined the Swiss syndicate Alinghi just over two years ago.

Butterworth could not be reached last night, but Detective Sergeant Cam Moore of Auckland police confirmed the theft.

The most valuable watches were:

* A Corum, given to Butterworth in 1987 after winning the Admirals Cup. The silver watch has "Admirals Cup 1987" engraved on the back.

* A Citizen, from Team New Zealand's Louis Vuitton Cup win in San Diego in 1995.

* A Citizen, presented after Team New Zealand won the America's Cup in San Diego in 1995.

Both of the Citizens are engraved with "America's Cup".

Also gone are a silver Omega Seamaster, a gold and silver Omega, and a silver Rolex Submariner with a blue and red face.

Police believe the break-in was the work of a professional. There was another burglary in the area on the same night in which the offender used similar methods.

nzherald.co.nz/americascup