Yachting: Abracadabra skipper up for a disappearing act

By SUZANNE McFADDEN

If Abracadabra skipper John Kolius had known his America's Cup campaign was going to be so cash-strapped, he would never have turned up. As it is, he will probably never come back.

What began as a $60 million two-boat programme out of Hawaii, ended up as a struggling $20 million syndicate which finished well out of the money in the Louis Vuitton Cup.

"In hindsight, I would have been better off buying a CD," the laid-back Texan drawled.

Abracadabra, their Spanish neighbours and the Young Australians across the Viaduct are going home for Christmas.

Kolius was skipper of the New York Yacht Club syndicate in 1987 which failed to make the semifinals. Yesterday he would not draw any parallels with the New Yorkers' apparent demise in 1999.

But he doubted he would ever return to the America's Cup.

"Lightning seems to strike twice in the same place as far as I'm concerned," he said.

"I've spent most of my entire dull life trying to raise money, trying to sell a very, very difficult product. I tell you, it takes its toll."

Well before this Louis Vuitton Cup series began, the first-ever Hawaiian syndicate were touted as the dark horses - as a team with two boats. But in the end, having two cup yachts was probably their downfall.

"Our problem was 100 per cent lack of money," Kolius said. "We spent less than $10 million [US] on a two-boat programme. We ended up cutting off the entire research and sail programme. That's just not the way to go.

"The unfortunate thing about the way things worked out is that we will never know how fast these boats are."

Kolius had a $60 million budget when Aloha Racing put a deposit on the old OneAustralia from 1995. When the budget dropped below $50 million, they lost their deposit and the boat went to Paul Cayard's AmericaOne.

The mould for Hawaii's second boat was already built when they lost another $20 million.

"I wouldn't have two boats if I'd known. I would have no boats, because I wouldn't do it."

Abracadabra had a chance to go out on a high note, and score an upset win over series leaders Prada yesterday. The Hawaiians led until the final lap, but failed to cover, and let the Italians past.

The fate of the Spaniards was decided on Saturday, when they suffered a straightforward loss to Young America. They said afterwards that a black cloud had followed them around the course all day, followed them back to their base, and finally released a torrential shower when they docked.

Spokesman Luis Saenz said nobody greeted them as they entered the port. "There were no songs, no applause ... only rain. We have learned our lessons, we have fought hard and we will continue to fight."