America's Cup- Storm in a 'B' Cup - plus audio

by Richard Gladwell on 8 Feb 2009
The decision by Alinghi not to race in the scheduled fifth race of the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series, ignited controversy around the Auckland waterfront as soon as Emirates Team New Zealand skipper, Dean Barker, gave his very blunt 'I’m pissed off' response, to a TV news camera team.

His counterpart on Alinghi, Brad Buttwerworth, sniffed Barker’s reaction and played the Kiwi audience masterfully, calling Barker a 'sook' in an interview with Peter Montgomery on the top rating 'Sportsworld' broadcast on Montgomery’s weekly 8.00am Sunday morning general sports show, which claims an audience of 25% of all listeners in New Zealand.

That reaction lit up the lights of talkback radio and fired a controversy, which could have been made only more perfect had it occurred during a ratings survey period.

The brouhaha ticks a whole lot of boxes, of which the short list runs something like this:

• Re-ignites the controversy when the Gang of Five left Team NZ to join Alinghi in 2000. In turn this gave rise to the Blackheart campaign in 2003, when they returned for the 31st America’s Cup in front of their former home, and now very hostile home crowd.

• Involves the America’s Cup but doesn’t require any understanding of sailing, - just the Auld Mug’s dark side, or which there are views and insights aplenty, but little understanding.

• Is yet another Alinghism, who have a penchant for subtle actions like flying the Maori sovereignty flag on Waitangi Day.

• Is more grist for the mill on the theories as to the controversial falling out between the Voice of New Zealand sailing and the current management of Team New Zealand.

No doubt this latest controversy will be worked for all it is worth by the media, talkback radio - all expertly conducted by Butterworth in his familiar laconic style and thinking.

Same old fishing line, same old hooks. Just put out a different bait and see who bites.

As usual all his prey bit beautifully, and bought an edge to the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series that it might not have wanted, but set the hook fast for the last rounds in the best traditions of the America’s Cup.

Ernesto Bertarelli, Alinghi owner, and equally adept at stirring controversy, albeit it in a completely different way, arrived in Auckland yesterday.

This particular Punch and Judy Show has only just begun.

To hear the extended interview with Dean Barker and Larry Ellison http://tvnz.co.nz/louis-vuitton-pacific-series-news/louis-vuitton-pacific-series-day-seven-wrap-2466201/video?vid=2466204!click_here

The media clip below was provided by Alinghi