Syndicate Row left to its ghosts

By ALAN PERROTT

The Swedes have gone, Team Tim is now Just Tim, and while the flags still fly over the Prada base, there aren't too many left to salute them.

With the fleet whittled down to the two America's Cup combatants, the homes of the fallen now look like Tracey Island just after Thunderbird 2 has taken off - a cavernous chamber echoing to the gentle rustling of a few outdoor plants.

But it is the natural order of things: our interest rises in inverse proportion to the number of sailors involved and the level of activity along Syndicate Row. Less means more.

The base of Le Defi, the second team to fall, already looks like a showhome waiting for an open day. Everything is shipshape and Bristol fashion. The locked doors gleam, the windows glint on to tidy, empty rooms and the yachts have been replaced by a "50 per cent reduced" sign in the merchandising store.

For them the regatta is over, so the dozen or so personnel holding the fort have put themselves on holiday for the month as they await the final outcome.

A team spokesman said they were spending the time debriefing the racing team and casting an eye over each race for clues on how to go faster next time.

Otherwise, there are still sponsorship obligations to fulfil as European company representatives head out to watch the Team New Zealand-Alinghi showdown.

Stephen Vuleta is all that is left of minnows Mascalzone Latino, otherwise known as Team Tim, who unfortunately won more hearts than races.

The happy crew have scattered, some trailing their owner to various international regattas, leaving the harbour side of the base looking more like a carpark for four-wheel-drives.

Mr Vuleta is managing the base for various hospitality programmes during the America's Cup finals.

The Swedish Victory Challenge have also quietly left. Their office phone seems to have been disconnected and the press officer's cellphone is unavailable. But the fax is still operating, so the empty office could be slowly filling with spools of "where are you?" messages.

At least the dock is in use. A large yacht pulled up yesterday and workers began stripping it and storing various pieces in two empty containers.

Oh well, thanks for the good times, Sweden.

But you have to hand it to the canny Brits - they thought ahead.

While most other syndicates are unloading their replica clothing for a song, GBR Challenge are obviously big on recycling.

Their polo shirts and jackets carry the syndicate emblem, but there is no mention of date or venue. They will still be good for the next challenge.

According to sponsorship and marketing manager Leslie Ryan, those team members remaining are busily figuring out how to right whatever went wrong while they wait for the finals.

And they are getting a head start on fundraising by running hospitality vessels each race day.

Sailing Away:



1.GBR Challenge:


Current staff: 16. Maximum staff: 87.

Boats: three yachts ready for transit within days.

Store discount: some price cuts, but most team gear is full price.


2. Le Defi:


Current staff: 12. Maximum staff: 94.

Boats: Two boats on their way to their home port of L'Orient, France.

Store discount: 50 per cent off all stock.


3. Mascalzone Latino:


Current staff: 1. Maximum staff: 80.

Boats: Single boat shipped home.

Store discount: 30 per cent.


4.One World:


Current staff: 20. Maximum staff: 105.

Boats: Two yachts being stored until the series is decided.

Store discount: 25 per cent off everything.


5. Oracle:


Current staff: about 100. Maximum staff: 140.

Boats: Still stripping down their two yachts and waiting for next destination.

Store discount: 15 per cent off.



6. Prada:


Current staff: 50, but falling fast. Maximum staff: 100.

Boats: Final testing finished last week. Both yachts will be shipped out at the end of the cup final.

Store discount: none - it's Prada, after all, although carry bags are reduced to $120.


7. Team Dennis Conner:


Current staff: 5. Maximum: 70.

Boats: Both yachts are in storage until the venue of next regatta is decided.

Store discounts: Vary. Polo shirts cut from $99 to $29, Nautica trousers from $120 to $30, and 40 per cent off signed Dennis Conner prints.


8. Victory:


Current staff: 0. Maximum staff: 80.

Boats: Both yachts are long gone.

Store discount: shop closed, gone fishing.




nzherald.co.nz/americascup

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