KEY POINTS:
This morning I had the fortune of being invited by Mayor John Banks to be a guest at his very private, very exclusive Skippers Breakfast for all the VIPs from the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series.
Grant Dalton was there looking more rugged and weathered than when I last
saw him. He's the Keith Richards of the sailing world, though I don't presume Louis Vuitton will be recruiting him for any campaigns to sell manbags in the near future.
The effervescent Frenchman Bruno Trouble was there in flamboyant red trousers that only a gay man or a sailing man could get away with - you know, in that preppy-chino-chic way. He looked like a poster boy for Ralph Lauren.
Martin Tasker was there, though no sign nor sound of Peter Montgomery, thankfully. I like Pete but his voice could give a disprin a headache after awhile.
Also absent was the man-of-few-words Russell Coutts, though Alinghi's main man Brad Butterworth was there with his fabulous glossy mane of grey hair. That man could do Pantene commercials. He'd be the envy of Martin Crowe and any man contemplating Regaine. Butterworth is very dapper and distinguished looking and his tan only adds to his appeal, but not in that sleazy, gigolo George Hamilton way. It's just a pity he ditched us for the bright lights and big coffers of Geneva.
His boss Ernesto Bertarelli chartered a ferry on Monday night to host a party for 200 of his nearest and dearest - including Candy Lane, Denise L'Estrange-Corbet, Steve Price, Nikki Kaye and a handful of Shortland St stars - at Mudbrick vineyard on Waiheke Island where guests partook in archery, clay shooting and golf before feasting on a fancy Kiwi-style BBQ. I'll report all the going-ons in my column on Sunday.
The Prada team, who are camped again at the Heritage Hotel, were represented by various members of management who sat at my table and who all spoke warmly of their affection for Auckland. One loved it so much he brought his entire family with him, and has even enrolled his seven-year-old daughter into the ACG College Primary School in Parnell. She wears the same uniform she wears to her private English school in Milan. She loves it.
But it was Dean Barker who stole the show. We were at the same table and I couldn't stop staring at him. He must have wondered what the heck was going through my mind, but I couldn't very well tell him I think he's drop-dead gorgeous. The man has to be our sexiest sports star (next to Richard Kahui). He's painfully shy, which really only adds to his appeal. But he's looking a tad too thin and gaunt at the moment, if you ask me. Mandy needs to fatten him up a bit.
The Louis Vuitton regatta kicks off on Friday and I'll be camped out for the entire period from a lavish suite at the SkyCity Grand Hotel where all the Louis Vuitton VIPs and international media are staying. I'll keep you posted on all the goss.
Rachel Glucina
Pictured above: Skipper Dean Barker. Photo / Richard Robinson