Spanish decide not to be party poopers

By Nick Perry

The Spanish challengers for the America's Cup - said to be the life of any party - threatened to pull out of tonight's Louis Vuitton fiesta, but will attend after some last-minute horse trading.

Louis Vuitton spokesman Bruno Trouble confirmed that the syndicate had demanded 140 invitations to the exclusive party after being allocated 90. The syndicate had returned all its tickets last week when told the higher number was impossible.

Mr Trouble said the syndicate had phoned back the following day to seek a compromise. Louis Vuitton had lifted its allocation to 105 tickets, and the Spanish had agreed to come.

The Herald understands the Spanish team, which has a larger staff than other single-boat challengers, had made premature promises that its sponsors would be able to attend the party.

Numbers were restricted to 2000 after the largest indoor venue to be found was the refurbished Civic Theatre - and organisers could not trust the fickle Auckland weather to risk an outdoor venue.

Mr Trouble said more than 1000 members of the syndicates, including Team New Zealand, were invited, as well as volunteers, local and overseas media and city dignitaries.