Blake Cup regatta looks like a winner

By AINSLEY THOMSON

Plans are under way to hold an annual Sir Peter Blake memorial regatta at the Viaduct Harbour to decide the top yachting nation.

Yachting veterans John Street, a life member of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, and Tom Ehman, who was Oracle's rules adviser at the last America's Cup, are trying to organise the regatta, which will be known as the Blake Cup.

Mr Street, who was a director of the America's Cup Village in the 2000 defence, said the idea came after New Zealand lost the America's Cup and Alinghi changed the nationality rule.

"We thought, 'Now the cup is gone, we have to utilise the facility in the Viaduct Harbour and put it to some other use'.

"And with Alinghi taking away the nationality qualification, we thought, 'Why don't we have a nation to nation sailing competition'."

Mr Street unsuccessfully pushed to have former Team New Zealand sailors Russell Coutts and Brad Butterworth expelled from the squadron in March.

He said the Blake Cup would be held on national lines to decide the world's top sailing nation each year.

The regatta plan comes as debate continues over the best way to remember Sir Peter. Supporters of the proposed waterfront memorial or "glass mausoleum" at the National Maritime Museum have clashed with those who say buying Kaikoura Island is a more fitting tribute.

The details of the proposed regatta will not be finalised until next month, but it is hoped the first race will be next February.

Mr Street said the regatta, which will last for 10 to 12 days, would be divided into four categories:

* Junior class sailing in Optimists.

* Olympic class in 49ers or 470s.

* Fleet division racing in Etchells.

* Offshore division racing in 50-70ft keel yachts.

There will be one team per country, with each member having to hold a passport for that country.

Organisers say the regatta will always be held at the Viaduct Harbour, irrespective of which country wins.

Mr Street, who was close friends with Sir Peter, rang Lady Pippa in England to ask permission to use her late husband's name. He said she was happy and said Sir Peter would have liked the idea.

There has been considerable support from overseas.

Mr Ehman, who is American, has been meeting a series of yachting's big names, such as Larry Ellison, Dennis Conner and Paul Cayard, to discuss sponsorship and participation.

Mr Street said he had received support from the Auckland City Council, but the competition would not need financial support from the Government or the council.

Auckland Mayor John Banks confirmed that he was aware of the Blake Cup.

"The proposition has a lot of merit and we are currently working through the finer details."

Councillor Scott Milne said the city council wanted to be as involved as it usefully could be.

The trophy that has been chosen as the Blake Cup has a long yachting pedigree.

It was awarded to the yacht Cambria, which was the first English yacht to challenge for the America's Cup after England lost it.

Mr Street bought the silver trophy at an auction last year for about $4500.