Fisher's View- Laddies who lunch
by Bob Fisher on 17 Mar 2010
"We headed for Kermadec and went upstairs to the Fine Dining Room". Richard Gladwell
www.photosport.co.nz
As anyone who was in Valencia for the 33rd America’s Cup discovered, there is an upside to counteract the general downside feeling that goes with postponed races – the opportunity to do what so many women do on a regular basis; and do lunch.
In the Viaduct Basin in Auckland, the temptation is constant and while the opportunities to indulge have been there a-plenty, the postponements have not coincided properly with the luncheon hour for the bevy of scribes to abandon their desks and head for the troughs.
Wednesday was, happily, different. After TeamOrigin had despatched ALL4ONE in their match in the first Elimination Round, the two hours of postponements, for a variety of reasons – too much wind and gear problems with one of the boats – was just sufficient to attack one of the many estaminets purveying food.
As my companion was Giuliano Luzzatto, the Media Attaché for Mascalzone Latino, the choice was strictly limited. This was another gentleman of taste and one experienced in the finer things of life. Nothing but the best would do. We headed for Kermadec and went upstairs to the Fine Dining Room.
It was certainly worth the climb – the view over the Basin on a sunny day is the envy of most yachties – and the cool comfort much appreciated as we sat pondering over the menu (always one of the highlights of the day). A casual glance at the Virtual Eye screen gave us the confidence to continue with our necessary indulgence – the racing was still postponed.
Resistance was negligible once the choices had been made. Coming as I do from the East Coast of England port where the world’s finest oysters are grown and harvested, it is difficult not to try the merits of the pretenders and with the new season Bluffs (the nearest I have ever had to the Colchester Natives) came the rock oysters from the Cleveland coast – I was close to Nirvana.
Giuliano meanwhile had settled for the Tuna to be followed by the John Dory, and in order to progress the fish theme further I ordered a Louis Vuitton Handbag containing some local Snapper and Clams. Unfortunately our progress of degustation was halted when the wind faded sufficiently for racing to continue – I should have had a hot-line to Peter ‘Luigi’ Reggio, the race officer, and called him for a further 30 minutes delay.
While the Louis Vuitton Trophy regatta is approaching perfection, we need the help of the Almighty (it’s beyond the realm of Bruno Troublé) to provide a touch too much wind at lunchtime to allow the other laddies to enjoy the benefits of luncheon. Is that too much to ask?
Postscript: The race that Giuliano had to watch – Mascalzone Latino v Aleph – went the right way as far as he was concerned. The Latin Rascals stamped on the French – the margin between them was a second short of a minute. With Tuna and John Dory inside, Giuliano had every right to smile.
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