Yachting: Here's a keen French supporter of the All Blacks

By SUZANNE McFADDEN

Seven-year-old rugby player Victor Pace is the envy of all his little French friends.

He is moving to live in New Zealand, the centre of the rugby universe as far as he is concerned, even after the Tricolors triumphed over the All Blacks last weekend.

His father, Bertrand, sees it differently: New Zealand is the capital of the sailing world. In his eyes, a Frenchman being asked to sail for Team New Zealand, champions of the America's Cup, is the ultimate compliment.

So both father and son are happy.

Yesterday, Bertrand Pace, the world's No 1 matchracing skipper, walked into Team NZ's black shed for the first time and started his new job.

"I've had to wait three months for this, but I am so happy now I'm here. I cannot wait to steer the black boat," the little French skipper said with a grin.

Last time Pace was here, he was behind the wheel of the orange boat of Le Defi.

His decision to leave the French challenge to become back-up helmsman for Dean Barker and coach for the Team NZ sailors prompted a mixed response in France.

"I think 99 per cent of the people are very happy for me - they can understand what a big acknowledgement it is for a French sailor," he said. "Everyone except the French syndicate is happy.

"When we finished the last America's Cup in February, there was a lot of criticism about everybody in Le Defi.

"It was difficult to have a proper analysis.

"Let's say I am happy to leave France."

Pace will spend the next month in Auckland, getting introduced to his new crewmates, getting to know the two black boats and getting to grips with a new language.

"In the beginning it will be difficult for me to explain exactly what I want to say," he said.

"I don't have all the words yet. But a month alone with Anglo-Saxon people and my English will be better.

"I already have some Kiwi phrases, but I cannot repeat them to you."

Pace has no preconceived ideas about whether he will sail on the Team NZ race boat alongside Barker, the world matchracing champion, in the 2003 America's Cup.

"I did not come here to be either on or off the boat. I'm here to help Dean and the team to have a successful defence," he said.

"My first job is to be an outside person coming in with a different perspective on things."

Despite arriving from Paris at dawn yesterday, Pace was straight into the spirit of his new team, joining them on their mystery fitness tour.

Next week, he will sail under the Team NZ banner for the first time, as a skipper in the national matchracing championships.

Two other Team NZ helmsmen, Cameron Appleton and Phil Douglas, will have crews in the regatta, along with other America's Cup skippers Chris Dickson and Rod Davis.

Pace's first assignment in Auckland, however, is to find a home for his family - wife Christine, Victor and 15-month-old Ludovic - who will all move here early next year.

"They loved living here during the last cup, so they are so happy to be coming back," he said. "Especially my oldest son, who loves rugby. He thinks this is the best place in the world to be.

"I have tried to tell him that France play better than the All Blacks now, but he won't listen."