Louis Vuitton Cup Final and Alinghi Party
Alinghi wins the Louis Vuitton Cup which sets the scene for a dramatic Coutts-Barker clash. Until then, however, there’s some serious partying to do…
Thousands of people with standing room only, a deafening commotion of cowbells, superyacht horns, blaring music, clapping and cheering, 14 jeroboams of Moet flying and an electric atmosphere – that was Auckland’s salute to the winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup.
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| Winning skipper Russell Coutts, surrounded by the thousands of spectators who turned out for the Louis Vuitton Cup prize giving. |
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Every seat in the Viaduct was taken with spectators claiming a perch at lunchtime and waiting through until the finish. Those who missed a seat resorted to standing on tables to get a view of the celebrations. Not a millimetre of space was spared as Kiwis turned out for the prizegiving on a sunny Sunday night.
As sport goes, someone has to lose so amidst the euphoria was also the heart-breaking thump of defeat – the belt of truth had slapped the boys from Oracle around the face. And it hurt. Deflated, the team of San Fran sailors dragged their chins on the ground and fought back bitter tears of disappointment as they shook the hands of their opponents. A stoic face from Larry Ellison didn’t hide his very obvious disillusionment. Perhaps money can’t buy you everything after all? But that’s what makes this whole circus worth its weight in gold. The contrast of delight against disappointment causes a kind of chemical reaction in the sensory of the mind.
| Alinghi Skipper Russell Coutts and fellow crew member are thrown overboard, in celebration of winning the Louis Vuitton Cup. |
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In true tradition the crew threw skipper Russell Coutts into the water which was then followed by a slightly less traditional dunking of the entire team. Not a dry team member to be seen – no one was spared, not the press officer or the photographer, not even billionaire syndicate head, Ernesto Bertarelli.
Dripping wet, the team didn’t wait to dry off before cracking open the beer, champagne and rum. The party was in full swing back at the huge pink base on Halsey Street – a well planned event that had obviously been prepared well in advance in expectation of victory. The band was playing, stage set up, food tables out (for once it wasn’t healthy food – good old fish and chips and pizza), champagne poured and beer chilled. Strict security prevailed at the gate but for those who did get in, it was a Big Night. Enthusiastic drinkers from the sailing team were blissfully passed out against the walls as others preferred to boogie. Good to see that billionaires can boogie with Ernesto and Kirsty shaking it on the dance floor with the rest of the team.
Despite the greatness of the day, in reality it was only a dress rehearsal for the real thing – the America’s Cup. Alinghi may have won the battle but they still have to win the war and facing Team New Zealand will be harder than anything they faced in the Challenger Series.
America’s Cup starts on February 15 and will be a best-of-nine series. If you’re anywhere near Auckland, get out to watch the fun!
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