'For sale' signs at BlackHeart

By ALAN PERROTT

Going cheap: BlackHeart flags, pennants and bumper stickers.

The supporters club that sought to make life uncomfortable for the foreign syndicates and New Zealand sailors challenging Team New Zealand is having a fire sale of merchandise.

The sale follows BlackHeart's decision to withdraw from its high-profile and controversial role. The sale will run until next month.

BlackHeart's withdrawal from the America's Cup battleground failed to stir a reaction at Viaduct Basin syndicate bases.

Swiss syndicate Alinghi, led by Team New Zealand's last cup-winning skipper, Russell Coutts, did not want to discuss BlackHeart despite allegedly receiving threats which some have tried to link to the group.

Speaking on Newstalk ZB after winning their third consecutive race against Oracle yesterday, Coutts said: "What they do or didn't do is irrelevant to me."

Alinghi spokesman Bernard Schopfer said: "We didn't comment before and we don't want to comment now.

"We want the focus to be on the sailing. That's what's important and that's what we're here for. So if everyone focuses on that we will be very happy."

Team New Zealand spokesman Murray Taylor delivered a more succinct "no comment".

No link has yet been found between the group which put it's name to the threatening letters, Teach the Traitors a Lesson (TTTAL), and BlackHeart, although some phrases used in the threats are reportedly similar to some featured on the group's website, www.blackheart.co.nz.

Auckland police communications manager for the America's Cup Jeoff Barraclough would not comment on the inquiry into the threats other than to say it was ongoing.

BlackHeart spokesman David Walden refuses to make any further public comment on his group, but a statement posted on its website says it is stepping back after being damaged by the threats despite no proof of any connection.

The message, also emailed to members, was headed "Man, it's hot in this kitchen. Somebody pass me a beer ... ".

Among its claims it says: "Despite all attempts to distance ourselves from these alleged threats, the fact is that 'mud sticks' and BlackHeart's core purpose [of building a home-ground advantage for Team New Zealand] has been hijacked.

"We will pull our heads in, but we will not go away. We think BlackHeart has made it's point and now it's time to move on.

"BlackHeart will from today adopt a low profile, keep a watching brief and ask all our supporters to remain staunch and true to Team New Zealand."

nzherald.co.nz/americascup

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