Yachting: Team New Zealand has done us all proud

by CHRIS DICKSON

A total blackout is the best way to describe the absolute dominance of Team New Zealand in their 5-0 trouncing of Prada.

Team NZ not only won every race but led around every mark in doing so, as they became the first team outside the US to sucessfully defend the America's Cup in its 150-year history.

Well done Team New Zealand.

The inclusion of Dean Barker in the starting line-up proved to be not only the story of the day but the knockout blow for Prada when Barker turned a creative pre-start into a Team NZ bonanza so "Black Magic" led at the starting gun by over two boat lengths.

It was not just fast action from Barker, but slick work from the crew that converted a starboard tack entry into an "in-your-face" start for Team NZ.

Barker had the job of starting no worse than equal and letting the boat and crew do the work, but he took his task a step further and excelled under pressure to give the black boat a lead that could never be challenged.

That was it for Prada. In match racing, there is no coming back from a lost start, let alone against a faster boat and a more experienced team.

And what incredible leadership from Russell Coutts; to hand the reins over to Barker and step off the boat for the final and most rewarding race of all.

There is nothing quite like the thrill of sailing across the finish line in the final race of a series, knowing the win is now in your hands. For Russell Coutts to give this up, as well as a winning record that would have changed the history books, is a move that has to be applauded.

It was a big step for Coutts and shows he is more than qualified to progress from skipper in 2000 to New Zealand team leader in 2003.

And for Barker to step into Coutts' shoes under such pressure and then to not only win the start but win it with the biggest margin of the whole regatta, was a real show of strength and character and a fantastic sign for Team NZ's future.

And to Prada; you did a great job to win the Louis Vuitton Cup, you were the best of the challengers, you added style to winning and held composure in defeat.

Thanks for coming, you have set new standards and New Zealand looks forward to welcoming you again in the future.

Let's not forget Sir Peter Blake in all this. Although I can personally vouch for the times he has stepped out of line, he has now done New Zealand proud.

You cannot compete for the America's Cup without money and you cannot win the America's Cup without lots of it.

Blake has given the sailors everything they could possibly have wanted and secured more sponsorship for a New Zealand sports team than any in history.

He has provided the machinery and leadership to let Russell Coutts and team do their job, which of course cannot be faulted. And last but not least, well done New Zealand. The Italian flag flying on top of the Auckland Harbour bridge said it all. You have opened your doors to the World.

You have made every visitor welcome, and every challenging team has experienced something special.

We are a small country and actions speak louder than words.

But it is the on-the-water actions of Team NZ that will be remembered longer than anything else. The 2000 America's Cup blackout is now in the history books forever.

*Where do we go from here? Don't miss Chris Dickson's column tomorrow.