Yachting: Veteran designer's work recognised

By SUZANNE McFADDEN

Even at 69, Team New Zealand designer Laurie Davidson cannot see the day when he will retire from drawing up legendary Kiwi boats.

Davidson, today named a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the New Year's Honours, is supposed to be taking a holiday break in Pauanui.

But even when he's at the beach, the master craftsman brings along his computer screen, working on more improvements for Team New Zealand's latest Black Magic boats.

"My ambition is be the first designer outside the United States to successfully defend the America's Cup," the Aucklander said last night.

"And I believe we are quite capable of defending this cup. We have two very good boats, if I do say so myself."

Davidson, one of two principal designers for Team New Zealand, began his passion in the 1950s, drawing up centreboard yachts.

He then began designing keelboats, and won several world titles in the 1970s.

Davidson's America's Cup career began in the mid-1980s, when he joined forces with fellow Kiwis Bruce Farr and Ron Holland to come up with the original New Zealand cup boat, KZ7, for the1987 regatta.

He went on to design the 1995 cup winners, NZL32 and NZL38.

"It never entered my head that New Zealand would be involved in the America's Cup back in the 1950s," he said.

"But it has been the highlight of my career.

"Now I just want to win the America's Cup, and hopefully be re-engaged to help to defend it again."

Among the other recipients of today's honours is long-serving rugby league administrator Bernie Wood, made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM).

Veteran rifle shooter and administrator Donald Whiteman has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to his sport over 52 years.

Former New Zealand basketball team captain Stan Hill, now the team's assistant coach, has been made an MNZM, and the same honour goes to John Prince, a New Zealand croquet representative for 36 years, and rower Chris White, a member of the 1982 and 1983 world champion eights, 1988 Olympic bronze medallist in the coxed fours and winner of an unsurpassed 38 New Zealand championship titles.