Friendly Competition between America's Cup Teams

by Tom Ehman BMW Oracle Racing weblog on 3 Jun 2006 'This Cup is donated upon the conditions that it shall be preserved as a perpetual Challenge Cup for friendly competition between foreign countries.' --America's Cup Deed of Gift.

Those simple but powerful words were penned in in 1857, six years after the yacht America won that most famous race around the Isle of Wight. In today's highly mobile, networked global economy it is easy to forget that competition (friendly or otherwise) between foreign countries was a novel if not radical idea in those pre-Civil War days in the USA -- forty years before the modern Olympics.

From time to time during the Cup's history that concept of 'friendly competition' has been severely tested. Last evening, however, the donors' spirit and intent were alive and well in the Port America's Cup.

Following an afternoon of intermural racing between our two teams, ETNZ invited us around for an adult beverage or two. 'The invitation and acceptance,' a senior ETNZ manager joked, 'is clear evidence that Dalts and Dicko are getting old and going soft.'

Truth is it's just another example of Cup world growing up a bit, or maybe getting back to the more fraternal times in Newport before the controversies of 83, 87 and 88 caused teams to wall themselves off from each other -- figuratively and literally.

Last night was a chance for many old mates regardless of nationality to catch up after a good, hard day at the office. The Kiwis present (and between our two teams we have something like 150 New Zealanders) had no trouble drinking a healthy quantity of Spanish beer, and for some it was a reminder of just how much we enjoy a good NZ Pinot Noir.

A fun, relaxed evening. With thanks to our ETNZ mates for the hospitality.

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From a story by Tom Ehman on the BMW ORACLE Racing Team Blog, www.bmworacleracing.com/blog