Close shave on the way for NZ's most famous moustache

By SUZANNE McFADDEN

New Zealand's most famous mo has to go.

The moustache on the new "face" of Team New Zealand, Tom Schnackenberg, will be whisked off this weekend for charity.

It will be the first time in three decades that Schnackenberg will have been bare-faced, but he reckons it fits with his new role as leader of the America's Cup defence.

"Shaving off the moustache marks the beginning of a different time in my life," he said.

"Maybe it's a test - to see if there's a real person underneath it. Maybe I'll be like the Cheshire Cat, who faded away behind his grin."

Tom's 'tache will go under the hammer at the Sail for Cancer charity auction at the Hyatt on Saturday night.

A barber will be on hand to remove the trademark moustache which has graced the face of the sailing whizz for the past 31 years.

"It's older than a lot of the Team New Zealand guys," Schnackenberg said.

He has grown used to the idea, but is relieved to be going on holiday next week, where he can attempt to grow back the hair away from the public eye.

"You never know, it may not come back," he said. "It grows about half a millimetre a day, so it would take me at least 100 days to get it back to this stage."

Schnackenberg's wife, Annie, is a little nervous about the change in his appearance. "But she fell in love with me before I had the moustache, so it will be okay," he said.

Efforts are being made to have the remains of the moustache preserved.

The money raised from the shaving will go to the Child Cancer Foundation and the Auckland Cancer Society.

Also up for grabs is a round of golf at Millbrook in Queenstown with Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker, and a night on a superyacht.

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