Heave ho and up she rises ...

By ALAN PERROTT

It was stomachs rather than blood that was boiling after race two of the Louis Vuitton Cup final.

The heavy chop and a mishmash of big boat wash on the Hauraki Gulf made January 13 particularly unlucky for many enjoying the prospect of getting close to some of the richest men in the world.

Seasickness showed no respect for experience on board our charter boat, Lady Harriet, as crew and guests spent plenty of time examining the sea, and after some very fine dining as well.

We swayed like drunkards while trying to keep track of the fast-disappearing yachts and the television commentary while each close-up of Alinghi showed Russell Coutts enjoying the smoothest of rides ahead of Chris Dickson and Oracle.

According to Lady Harriet's hosts, Dennis and Melissa, they were the roughest race-day conditions yet, but they didn't deter the largest spectator fleet of the regatta to date as Auckland's white-collar set hit the harbour.

Most race days have attracted small groups you could count on your fingers and toes, but there were about 150 vessels of all sizes out at sea yesterday.

It was an odd arrangement, Switzerland were racing against the United States, yet most boats were flying silver ferns and "loyal" banners, kind of like an Australia- England test match being swamped by All Black fans.

For about four hours a large area of the gulf became a maritime Paritai Drive as superyachts of all descriptions cruised up and down the course. With no one dropping anchor the basso thrum of big diesel engines blocked out any sounds coming off the racing yachts. The police and coastguard had their hands full keeping some gung-ho skippers down to an easy cruising speed.

But even with the large crowd, the final dash to the line was an anticlimax. There was a ripple of applause when Alinghi crossed first, then everyone swung about and stampeded back into harbour.

Two keen fishermen and their tiny dinghy were all but swamped by the wash.

The one-horse race aside, the highlight of the day was a close encounter with Team New Zealand, something that would never have happened before the skirts were dropped and the hula took on new meaning.

Our plucky lads looked to be in danger of repetitive strain injury from returning encouraging waves, yells and thumbs up from everyone who got within a bull's roar.

The unabashed enthusiasm showed that most of those out yesterday see the challenger finals as the final support act to the main event.

nzherald.co.nz/americascup

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