A proper rugby tour is such a rare treat that it brightens the prospect of winter. That and the America's Cup. With the Lions here and the Cup beaming in every morning before breakfast, who can really mind that this is the last long weekend until Labour Day?
Normally that prospect is bleak. After tomorrow, more than three wintry months must pass before we get a decent break. This year we are having a general election in September that seems far away. Yet it is a full month before the next public holiday.
But who is looking that far ahead now? The new format of the America's Cup has already proven captivating. The boats are fast, the races quickly decided and the rules ensure interest is maintained.
However tempted the defender could have been to try to influence the outcome of the challengers' rounds, it needed to win the round robins to take a point into the finals. Now, with Oracle gone to lie in wait and one of the challengers eliminated, we start a week of play-offs between four boats. Team New Zealand have to be favourites after their performances last week.
But this is the America's Cup. Bitter experience tells us not to celebrate too soon. Boats will be improved. Crews will be sharpened. Mysterious things will happen.
