By SUZANNE McFADDEN
Few of Team New Zealand's supporting army could match the dedication of one unseen - and unseeing - fan.
Each race day, the middle-aged blind man and his wife drove to the waterfront in their campervan to be part of the frenzied America's Cup send-off.
They parked at the tank farm and caught a yellow water taxi to the mouth of the Viaduct Harbour, where the armada streamed past. The man soaked up the cacophony as his wife described the good-spirited chaos of the farewells.
Once the fleet had gone, the couple would return to the van, their small television set and a talking computer. She would relay each tack and gybe of the race, while he could taste the sea air.
Their unheralded support act was rudely interrupted this week when thieves broke into their vehicle and stole the TV and computer.
However, the couple's insurance company quickly replaced the television set so they could continue their vigil of Team New Zealand's march to victory.
The specialised laptop with a voice synthesiser has not been so easy to replace.
But the setback did not break the couple's quiet dedication, rewarded with Team New Zealand's clean-sweep triumph yesterday.
They politely declined an interview request, preferring to remain a silent part of the people power behind New Zealand's America's Cup domination.
When love isn't blind
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