Kate's a multinational triumph

By Nick Perry

Much of the America's Cup travelling circus is weighing anchor and leaving town - but two-week-old "Kiwi Kate" needs citizenship papers before she can go.

The elimination of four syndicates from the Louis Vuitton Cup semifinal last week means 500 disappointed sailors, support crew and family are heading home.

But for America True naval architect Richard Whitaker and wife Jay, the letdown of being beaten on the water has been tempered by the arrival of their first child, Katherine.

The baby, a New Zealander by birth but applying for Australian citizenship, is caught in the stew of nationalities Mr Whitaker says comes with the cup.

Mr Whitaker himself is from Perth but has spent most of the past two years in the United States developing his team's boat - and is looking forward to living in Europe during the next cup if Prada wins.

"Everyone involved with the cup becomes a nomad."

The couple admit their daughter seems destined to sail, given that they met and married at a yacht club, and Mrs Whitaker went into labour during the vital pre-start manoeuvres between Nippon and America True.

The family plan to travel for two weeks around the South Island before heading home next month.

America True skipper Dawn Riley says most of the crew will finish work next week, although a few will stay on until the end of racing in March.

She admits to disappointment that five years of planning and working towards winning the cup are over. But she says the yachting world is small, and she expects to keep in contact with many members of the team.

"We always knew it was going to end; it just ended a little earlier than we had hoped."

She says much of the team's gear is being stored in containers until the outcome of racing is decided. If Team New Zealand wins, True might keep its boat here for training at the next regatta - which it hopes to contest.

The Stars & Stripes director of operations, Bill Trenkle, says it is not known if Dennis Conner will be back, but the team cannot afford to keep its waterfront base beyond March.

"We spent more money than we had on this thing."

Like their waterfront neighbours America True, only a few of the team will be here by the end of next week.

Most members of Nippon and Le Defi are also leaving town this month, although both teams are planning to be at the next America's Cup - whether it is held in Europe, America or again in Auckland.