Dispute takes wind out of TAB's sails

By Nick Perry

Yachting New Zealand and America's Cup organisers are involved in a bitter row over whether TAB betting should be allowed on cup races.

The TAB has already drawn up a list of favourites, but the dispute means that it is unlikely to be taking bets when racing starts on Monday.

Yachting NZ, which favours betting, has the power under Government legislation to give the green light to the TAB.

Chief executive Adrienne Greenwood said betting would encourage the public to take a closer interest in the cup. TAB profits returned to the sport would help its development from small clubs up.

But organisers of both the Louis Vuitton challenger series and the America's Cup finals do not want any wagers to be laid.

Tony Thomas of America's Cup 2000 said both it and Team NZ would oppose betting, as the Lotteries Commission was one of the team's major sponsors and was in competition with the TAB.

"We will not enter into any agreement which will be in conflict with our sponsors. We will protect our sponsors forever because they give us nearly all our income."

America's Cup Challenge Association spokeswoman Heather Pike said it opposed gambling on the challenger series because it would be far too hard to control.

"How do you prevent sailors betting, or ensure race results aren't changed [because of the money at stake]?"