Final tribute to dead mate

Before they wrote the last chapter in the defence of the America's Cup yesterday Team New Zealand had a sad and solemn duty to discharge.

The two black boats hove to under grey skies to form a guard of honour on the Hauraki Gulf, and tender boat driver Selwyn Ross scattered the ashes of shore crew member Derek Tremain into the waters off Rangitoto.

Tremain, who played a role in other New Zealand Cup campaigns, died of a heart attack late last year.

It was his family's wish that his ashes be scattered on the waters where Team New Zealand successfully defended the Cup.


Headstart for Britain


An 8-year-old Howick boy has begun the British challenge for the America's Cup - with a $5 note.

Luke Southern, of Shelly Park School, was at the Viaduct Harbour yesterday to hand over the money to British match-racing skipper Chris Law and to show him the drawings of a Cup boat he designed and patriotically named St George.

"My granny, who is English, said the British had a wonderful history with boats and sailing," Luke wrote to Law.

"My mum and dad told me that the English did not have enough money to put in a challenge, so I am sending you some to start for the next time."


Patriotic tiny red socks


One woman is responsible for the hundreds of tiny red socks pinned on visitors to the American Express NZ Cup Village over the past few days.

The $5 knitted red woollen socks proved a popular alternative for those not keen on the instant tattoos or silly hats also on offer.

She did not want to say how much she had made from the little socks, but she had been making the most of Cup fever and knitting for as many hours a day as she could manage.


Cellphone-calling chaos



Aucklanders kept their reputation as the country's cellphone champions and almost collapsed the network making calls to and from the Viaduct Harbour just after NZL60 crossed the finish line.

Telecom's systems could not cope with the surge, despite having installed seven mobile phone sites especially for the occasion.

Spokeswoman Lisa-Marie Richan said: "There were unfortunately a lot of cellphones down there, and being Auckland ..."


Bumper to bumper


Traffic backed up on Auckland's motorways last night as thousands flooded into the city to celebrate the win.

Citybound motorists on the Northern Motorway tailed back beyond Esmonde Rd and the Southern Motorway was also busy.

A spokesman at Transit NZ's motorway management centre said that traffic at 6 pm was like a morning peak flow.


Commentator's classic


The penchant for purple prose of the Cup's most famous commentator, Peter Montgomery, had the international press corps on the edge of their seats at the Louis Vuitton media centre as NZL60 closed on the finish line.

Visiting journalists were vying to pick what memorable phrase would emerge at the vital moment - "They knocked the bastard off," perhaps, or "That's one small step for a yacht; a giant leap for New Zealand."

No one picked "black to the future."