By JULIE ASH
While the hunt to find those responsible for sending threatening letters to Alinghi continues, Russell Coutts' Swiss syndicate have taken some comfort from the letters of support they have received from throughout New Zealand and the world.
The police were called in to investigate last week after the Swiss America's Cup syndicate backed by pharmaceutical billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli received two letters from a group who threatened violence to team members' families and damage to their property and the syndicate base.
The group is understood to call itself TTTAL - Teach The Traitors A Lesson.
Scrutiny shifted to the BlackHeart group after it was noted that some phrases in the letters resembled quotes from the group's email newsletters. Detectives were given access to the member database of about 3000 people.
But Auckland police communications manager for the America's Cup Jeoff Barraclough said BlackHeart, who have openly criticised those who left Team New Zealand after the last cup, make up just one avenue of their investigation.
Alinghi spokesman Bernard Schopfer said no further threats had been received and the team were focused on their upcoming series against Oracle BMW Racing in the final of the Louis Vuitton challenger series which starts on Saturday.
He said the team had fielded many calls from worried family members overseas but had also received several letters of support.
"We have received a lot of letters from all over the world especially from New Zealand and Switzerland," said Schopfer.
"We have had a lot of New Zealanders write to us and say 'We are really sorry this has happened. We hope Team New Zealand win but we hope you do well and we are looking forward to some great yacht racing over the next few weeks'.
"That has been really nice."
Threats prompt flood of support for Alinghi
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