Well, round 2 of Super Rugby just got started but what a win by the Highlanders to remain unbeaten in Super Rugby, beating the Reds in a close encounter at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin but unfortunately to our beloved Hurricanes, they fell to the dominant Crusaders side (One of 2 New Zealand teams undefeated during the season but they unfortunately didn't get the bonus point) at AMI Stadium in Christchurch after beating the Waratahs away from home in round 1 then the Chiefs & Blues didn't get wins over the Brumbies & Sharks in Canberra & Durban respectively while other results include the Tahs, Stormers & Jaguares get their first victories of the season by beating the Sunwolves, Lions & the Bulls but in Six Nations news, Wales came out on top against England to remain unbeaten in the Six Nations at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, playing their best rugby in years (Although England's innovative defence were finally been broken by the Welsh) while France wallop Scotland at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis after back to back defeats in the 2019 Six Nations against both Wales & England then Ireland got the better of Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
But this is my last blog my friends before the South Island trip where I will be going with Pops, Aunty Tania & Rejean from the 27th of February on a flight from Palmerston North to Queenstown until the 10th of March where Pops & I are heading back from Queenstown to Palmy on the way home.
So that is my 274th blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 14th of this year.
Sunday, 24 February 2019
Monday, 18 February 2019
Super Rugby round 1 review, Black Caps 1st & 2nd ODI & my father & Raewyn's wedding round-up
Well, the 2019 Super Rugby season officially got underway as the Highlanders produce a comeback win against the Chiefs at FMG Stadium Waikato in the Tron despite being a man down for the rest of the game (Highlanders reserve back Sio Tomkinson was the culprit who got red carded by New Zealand referee Glen Jackson for an illegal no arms tackle to the head on Chiefs captain Brodie Retallick who had to leave the field due to concussion so he was unable to continue) then the Blues were inconsistent against the defending champion Crusaders (Who were without hooker Codie Taylor, captain Sam Whitelock & All Blacks skipper Kieran Read), losing by 2 points at the garden of Eden in Auckland then the Hurricanes (Who had done it without the services of star first five Beauden Barrett) managed to win by just a single point against the Waratahs at Brookvale Oval in Sydney after Waratahs first five Bernard Foley had a chance to win the game with a penalty goal but he missed after that shot at goal attempt went wide at Brookvale Oval in Manly, Sydney & other results include the Rebels who had an upset victory against the Brumbies at GIO Stadium in Canberra upon Quade Cooper's celebrated return to Super Rugby (Cooper was unwanted by the Reds according to their coach Brad Thorn last year so he chose to be at the Rebels for this season) then Sharks who got the better of the struggling Sunwolves team in Singapore followed by the Bulls was the only home team to win a game by beating the Stormers at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria & of course, the Lions of South Africa, finally getting their 1st win against the Jaguares on Argentinean soil at the Jose Amalfitani Stadium in Buenos Aires.
And the Black Caps have won the 1st 2 ODIs in Napier & Christchurch to clinch the ODI series against Bangladesh after our disappointing ODI series against India with New Zealand batsman Martin Guptill scoring back to back tons.
And finally it has been 3 days since the wedding of my father & Raewyn's wedding took place so I had a great time there plus some good guests (Including Pops, Aunty Tania (Who had to clean our house along with Rejean), Rejean, Carole Webb, Kathryn, Ken Branch, Ben Blain, Robina (Ben Blain's girlfriend who could be my best friend who is better than Sophia Ong), Uncle Nigel (Who was the celebrant), Uncle Nigel's adoptive son Isaac, Jansen, Toa Waaka, Toa's girlfriend/partner Kelli, Toa's daughter Hiritoa, Narlea, Narlea's husband Stephen, Nufemmia, Uncle Bryan, Aunty Viv, Aunty Viv's mother Donna, Uncle Bryan & Aunty Viv's son Ashley, Charlotte & the rest) including our whanau back there because the wedding was held at Uncle Bryan Christie's new place (I had a hangi there for dinner & had fruit salad for dessert) & I watched the rugby on TV because they have got Sky there.
So that is my 273rd blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 13th of this year.
And the Black Caps have won the 1st 2 ODIs in Napier & Christchurch to clinch the ODI series against Bangladesh after our disappointing ODI series against India with New Zealand batsman Martin Guptill scoring back to back tons.
And finally it has been 3 days since the wedding of my father & Raewyn's wedding took place so I had a great time there plus some good guests (Including Pops, Aunty Tania (Who had to clean our house along with Rejean), Rejean, Carole Webb, Kathryn, Ken Branch, Ben Blain, Robina (Ben Blain's girlfriend who could be my best friend who is better than Sophia Ong), Uncle Nigel (Who was the celebrant), Uncle Nigel's adoptive son Isaac, Jansen, Toa Waaka, Toa's girlfriend/partner Kelli, Toa's daughter Hiritoa, Narlea, Narlea's husband Stephen, Nufemmia, Uncle Bryan, Aunty Viv, Aunty Viv's mother Donna, Uncle Bryan & Aunty Viv's son Ashley, Charlotte & the rest) including our whanau back there because the wedding was held at Uncle Bryan Christie's new place (I had a hangi there for dinner & had fruit salad for dessert) & I watched the rugby on TV because they have got Sky there.
So that is my 273rd blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 13th of this year.
Monday, 11 February 2019
Six Nations round 2 review, 2019 Super Rugby season preview & Black Caps Vs India 3rd T20 round up
Well, my father & Raewyn's wedding is almost upon us on the 16th of February but in Six Nations news, Ireland get their 1st win of their campaign, beating Scotland 22 - 13 at Murrayfield in Edinburgh while Wales continue their dominance against Italy with a resounding 26 - 15 win at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome to equal their 100 year old record for most consecutive test wins (They played their best Welsh side in years) & England (Who has their best defence in the competition since John Mitchell took over as defence coach but they actually believe that they could win the Rugby World Cup with the All Blacks likely to be their opponent in the semifinal (Well, the last meeting between England & New Zealand at a Rugby World Cup was 20 years ago but England have never beaten us before (Their 1st meeting was in 1991) go 2 from 2 in the Six Nations (Who followed up their victory against grand slam champions Ireland), thrashing France (Who played their worst rugby in years) 44 to 8 with a hat-trick by star winger Jonny May at Twickenham in London.
And the Six Nations is taking their mandatory 1 week break but Super Rugby starts this Friday on the 15th of February (The day after Valentine's Day) with the Chiefs taking on the Highlanders at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton then on Saturday it's the Blues taking on the defending champion Crusaders side at Eden Park in Auckland before the Hurricanes head across the ditch for their quest of regaining the title to take on the Waratahs at Brookvale Oval (A rugby league ground which is home to the Manly Sea Eagles NRL team) in Sydney but other matches are Brumbies Vs Rebels at GIO Stadium in Canberra, Sunwolves Vs Sharks at National Stadium in Singapore, Bulls Vs Stormers at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria & Jaguares Vs Lions at the Jose Amalfitani Stadium in Buenos Aires.
And finally the Black Caps win the T20 series against India in the 3rd & deciding T20 at Hamilton with New Zealand opening batsman Colin Munro getting a half-century by scoring 72 runs but their next task for the Black Caps is against the giant killers of world cricket, Bangladesh, in a 3 match ODI series beginning tomorrow & the 3 match test series commencing on the last day of February 2019.
So that is my 272nd blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 12th of this year.
P.S. And It was on Sunday that both Aunty Tania & Rejean (Who had to meet my pet beagle mastiff cross dog Buck for the 1st time 2 days ago) have arrived from Canada in time for both the wedding & the trip to the South Island at Whanganui Airport when me & Pops went but it was yesterday that we went to Dad & Raewyn's place for dinner where we had (Except Aunty Tania who had to pull out due to a stomach upset).
And the Six Nations is taking their mandatory 1 week break but Super Rugby starts this Friday on the 15th of February (The day after Valentine's Day) with the Chiefs taking on the Highlanders at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton then on Saturday it's the Blues taking on the defending champion Crusaders side at Eden Park in Auckland before the Hurricanes head across the ditch for their quest of regaining the title to take on the Waratahs at Brookvale Oval (A rugby league ground which is home to the Manly Sea Eagles NRL team) in Sydney but other matches are Brumbies Vs Rebels at GIO Stadium in Canberra, Sunwolves Vs Sharks at National Stadium in Singapore, Bulls Vs Stormers at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria & Jaguares Vs Lions at the Jose Amalfitani Stadium in Buenos Aires.
And finally the Black Caps win the T20 series against India in the 3rd & deciding T20 at Hamilton with New Zealand opening batsman Colin Munro getting a half-century by scoring 72 runs but their next task for the Black Caps is against the giant killers of world cricket, Bangladesh, in a 3 match ODI series beginning tomorrow & the 3 match test series commencing on the last day of February 2019.
So that is my 272nd blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 12th of this year.
P.S. And It was on Sunday that both Aunty Tania & Rejean (Who had to meet my pet beagle mastiff cross dog Buck for the 1st time 2 days ago) have arrived from Canada in time for both the wedding & the trip to the South Island at Whanganui Airport when me & Pops went but it was yesterday that we went to Dad & Raewyn's place for dinner where we had (Except Aunty Tania who had to pull out due to a stomach upset).
Monday, 4 February 2019
My 1st blog of February 2019 (Six Nations round 1, Superbowl LIII round-up)
Well, Waitangi day is almost upon us tomorrow but in Six Nations news, Wales began their Six Nations campaign with a win against France at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis after being 16 - 0 down at halftime while Scotland continue their dominance against Italy with a Blair Kinghorn hat-trick at Murrayfield in Edinburgh but England defeat defending Six Nations champions & All Black conquerors Ireland in an epic test match in Dublin thanks to England's assistant coach John Mitchell's innovative defence (But the resilient defence by Ireland had been broken by the English white wall).
And finally the Vince Lombardi Trophy is heading back to New England after the Patriots had a dominant display against the Los Angeles Rams in a low scoring affair at Superbowl LIII at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia a year after missing out on defending the Superbowl against the Philadelphia Eagles but what about star quarterback Tom Brady & super coach for the Patriots, Bill Belichick, they were back to its best.
And I did enjoy my time yesterday when me & Pops went to Caroline's for dinner last night where I had a Mediterranean lamb salad that I enjoyed so I had to pay with my meal before we went back home to watch the underarm incident documentary on TV on Prime last night (I had watched the Superbowl earlier in the day) but today I watched the F1 biopic movie Rush (I recorded it last night) that I haven't seen for over 5 years.
So that is my 271st blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 11th of this year.
And finally the Vince Lombardi Trophy is heading back to New England after the Patriots had a dominant display against the Los Angeles Rams in a low scoring affair at Superbowl LIII at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia a year after missing out on defending the Superbowl against the Philadelphia Eagles but what about star quarterback Tom Brady & super coach for the Patriots, Bill Belichick, they were back to its best.
And I did enjoy my time yesterday when me & Pops went to Caroline's for dinner last night where I had a Mediterranean lamb salad that I enjoyed so I had to pay with my meal before we went back home to watch the underarm incident documentary on TV on Prime last night (I had watched the Superbowl earlier in the day) but today I watched the F1 biopic movie Rush (I recorded it last night) that I haven't seen for over 5 years.
So that is my 271st blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 11th of this year.
Monday, 28 January 2019
The Team New Zealand Story 1995 - 2003: Chapter 10 AKA the final chapter (The stern + my 1st ever tennis report & the underarm incident revisited)
Well, for the last time, here is the 10th & final chapter of The Team New Zealand story 1995 - 2003 book which is the stern that I'm doing today on my blog:
Auckland's vast & spectacular waterways are many things & all things to thousands upon thousands of the city's inhabitants as well as a stream of admiring international visitors.
For most the Waitemata Harbour & the outlying reaches of the Hauraki Gulf provide the ultimate playground. For others they may equate to some kind of refuge or escape from the rigours & construction of everyday life.
As long as the elements are kind, many hanker for the weekend & the chance to head to their favourite spot for the solace that fishing can offer. Some are on the lookout out for a brisk breeze to enhance the thrill of full-throttle windsurfing while others hope for the opposite so they can go water skiing.
On any day the waters are home to ferries tripping back & forth with commuters & visitors to various points around the Watemata Harbour or further afield to such destinations as Waiheke Island.
Above all, though, the inner harbour & the gulf are instantly identified with sailing in its most traditional forms, from the youngest in their P Class craft or Optimists through to the more experienced sailors blasting about on a full range of keelboats.
Through years & years of experience, New Zealand's foremost sailors have come to know the gulf's waters in the same way pre-eminent rugby players become familiar with almost every blade of grass on Eden Park.
The best yachties develop a sixth sense that intuitively understands the Hauraki Gulf's nuances. And that's an enormous asset because, of all the courses used for America's Cup regattas so far, non is arguably as unpredictable as the one Team New Zealand has settled on.
Syndicate head & design co-ordinator Tom Schnackenberg is in the ideal position to judge the gulf's vagaries & make accurate comparisons, He's more aware than anyone how variable the conditions can be on that stretch of water; it's the old four-seasons-in-one-day theory about Auckland's weather & the extra demands that places on a design team.
''For San Diego we had a lot of confidence in the weather,'' he says. ''The climatology there is reasonbly consistent. You know you can expect wind in a narrow 7-11 knot band with long swells, sometimes developing a wind wave on top of the swells.''
The Hauraki Gulf's wind range is more extreme & is also known for its short, sharp seas which can be more punishing on boats & gear. ''We have to be thinking in a band of 6-18 knots &, as we saw in the Louis Vuitton series in Auckland in 1999-2000, teams were often racing in winds well over 20 knots.''
That unpredictability ensures the gulf's race course is far more likely to rate highly in the excitement stakes & certainly the area is far more viewer friendly than other tracks (say off Fremantle & San Diego where racing took place well off shore in open expanses of sea).
There's an aesthetic beauty about Auckland's offering, too. It has so many reference points be they gulf islands or landmarks. It's also far more accessible in that people taking up elevated positions can actually watch the racing from on land on Auckland's East Coast Bays. That's a rare treat.
Apart from the close quarters viewing on television there is, however, nothing quite like being out on the water sniffing the sea air & being reasonably up close & personal with the racing yachts. Hundreds & hundreds of spectator craft invade the fringes of the course on race days, some estimates suggesting as many as 3000-4000 boats a day were dotted around the edges when Team New Zealand defended the cup in 2000.
There is surely no better panorama either in any of world yachting's premier contests. All around are the various Hauraki Gulf islands from the majestic landmark of Rangitoto to Motutapu, Tiritiri Matangi, Rakino, Motuihe & Waiheke with Kawau Island & Great Barrier further off in the distance.
There's the long sweep of suburbia stretching from Cheltenham up through Takapuna, Milford, the rest of the East Coast Bays & on to Whangaparoa Peninsula. Further to the south Auckland city's Sky Tower dominates the landscape.
Could there be a better venue to race for the America's Cup? Surely not.
NEW ZEALAND IN THE LOUIS VUITTON CUP
1986-1995
Fremantle 1986-87
Syndicate: BNZ America's Cup Challenge
Head: Michael Fay
Skipper: Chris Dickson
Boat: KZ7 (Kiwi Magic)
Record: WON LOST POINTS POSITION
Round Robin 1 11 1 11 1st equal
Round Robin 2 11 0 55 1st
Round Robin 3 11 0 132 1st
TOTAL 33 1 198 1st
Semi-final
v French Kiss (M. Pajot) 4 0
Final
v Stars & Stripes (D. Conner) 1 4
OVERALL 38 5
San Diego 1992
Syndicate: New Zealand Challenge
Head: Sir Michael Fay
Skipper: Rod Davis
Boat: NZL20 (The Red Sled)
Record: WON LOST POINTS POSITION
Round Robin 1 6 1 6 1st
Round Robin 2 7 0 28 1st
Round Robin 3 5 2 40 2nd
TOTAL 18 3 74 1st
Auckland's vast & spectacular waterways are many things & all things to thousands upon thousands of the city's inhabitants as well as a stream of admiring international visitors.
For most the Waitemata Harbour & the outlying reaches of the Hauraki Gulf provide the ultimate playground. For others they may equate to some kind of refuge or escape from the rigours & construction of everyday life.
As long as the elements are kind, many hanker for the weekend & the chance to head to their favourite spot for the solace that fishing can offer. Some are on the lookout out for a brisk breeze to enhance the thrill of full-throttle windsurfing while others hope for the opposite so they can go water skiing.
On any day the waters are home to ferries tripping back & forth with commuters & visitors to various points around the Watemata Harbour or further afield to such destinations as Waiheke Island.
Above all, though, the inner harbour & the gulf are instantly identified with sailing in its most traditional forms, from the youngest in their P Class craft or Optimists through to the more experienced sailors blasting about on a full range of keelboats.
Through years & years of experience, New Zealand's foremost sailors have come to know the gulf's waters in the same way pre-eminent rugby players become familiar with almost every blade of grass on Eden Park.
The best yachties develop a sixth sense that intuitively understands the Hauraki Gulf's nuances. And that's an enormous asset because, of all the courses used for America's Cup regattas so far, non is arguably as unpredictable as the one Team New Zealand has settled on.
Syndicate head & design co-ordinator Tom Schnackenberg is in the ideal position to judge the gulf's vagaries & make accurate comparisons, He's more aware than anyone how variable the conditions can be on that stretch of water; it's the old four-seasons-in-one-day theory about Auckland's weather & the extra demands that places on a design team.
''For San Diego we had a lot of confidence in the weather,'' he says. ''The climatology there is reasonbly consistent. You know you can expect wind in a narrow 7-11 knot band with long swells, sometimes developing a wind wave on top of the swells.''
The Hauraki Gulf's wind range is more extreme & is also known for its short, sharp seas which can be more punishing on boats & gear. ''We have to be thinking in a band of 6-18 knots &, as we saw in the Louis Vuitton series in Auckland in 1999-2000, teams were often racing in winds well over 20 knots.''
That unpredictability ensures the gulf's race course is far more likely to rate highly in the excitement stakes & certainly the area is far more viewer friendly than other tracks (say off Fremantle & San Diego where racing took place well off shore in open expanses of sea).
There's an aesthetic beauty about Auckland's offering, too. It has so many reference points be they gulf islands or landmarks. It's also far more accessible in that people taking up elevated positions can actually watch the racing from on land on Auckland's East Coast Bays. That's a rare treat.
Apart from the close quarters viewing on television there is, however, nothing quite like being out on the water sniffing the sea air & being reasonably up close & personal with the racing yachts. Hundreds & hundreds of spectator craft invade the fringes of the course on race days, some estimates suggesting as many as 3000-4000 boats a day were dotted around the edges when Team New Zealand defended the cup in 2000.
There is surely no better panorama either in any of world yachting's premier contests. All around are the various Hauraki Gulf islands from the majestic landmark of Rangitoto to Motutapu, Tiritiri Matangi, Rakino, Motuihe & Waiheke with Kawau Island & Great Barrier further off in the distance.
There's the long sweep of suburbia stretching from Cheltenham up through Takapuna, Milford, the rest of the East Coast Bays & on to Whangaparoa Peninsula. Further to the south Auckland city's Sky Tower dominates the landscape.
Could there be a better venue to race for the America's Cup? Surely not.
NEW ZEALAND IN THE LOUIS VUITTON CUP
1986-1995
Fremantle 1986-87
Syndicate: BNZ America's Cup Challenge
Head: Michael Fay
Skipper: Chris Dickson
Boat: KZ7 (Kiwi Magic)
Record: WON LOST POINTS POSITION
Round Robin 1 11 1 11 1st equal
Round Robin 2 11 0 55 1st
Round Robin 3 11 0 132 1st
TOTAL 33 1 198 1st
Semi-final
v French Kiss (M. Pajot) 4 0
Final
v Stars & Stripes (D. Conner) 1 4
OVERALL 38 5
San Diego 1992
Syndicate: New Zealand Challenge
Head: Sir Michael Fay
Skipper: Rod Davis
Boat: NZL20 (The Red Sled)
Record: WON LOST POINTS POSITION
Round Robin 1 6 1 6 1st
Round Robin 2 7 0 28 1st
Round Robin 3 5 2 40 2nd
TOTAL 18 3 74 1st
Semi-final
v Nippon (C. Dickson) 3 0
v Il Moro di Venezia (P. Cayard) 2 1
v Ville de Paris (M. Pajot) 2 1
Final
v Il Moro di Venezia (P. Cayard) 3 5
OVERALL 28 10
San Diego 1995
Syndicate: Team New Zealand
Head: Peter Blake
Skipper: Russell Coutts
Boat: NZL32, NZL38 (Black Magics)
Record: WON LOST POINTS POSITION
Round Robin 1 6 0 6 1st
Round Robin 2 6 1 10 1st
Round Robin 3 6 0 24 1st
Round Robin 4 5 0 25 1st
TOTAL 23 1 65 1st
v Nippon (C. Dickson) 3 0
v Il Moro di Venezia (P. Cayard) 2 1
v Ville de Paris (M. Pajot) 2 1
Final
v Il Moro di Venezia (P. Cayard) 3 5
OVERALL 28 10
San Diego 1995
Syndicate: Team New Zealand
Head: Peter Blake
Skipper: Russell Coutts
Boat: NZL32, NZL38 (Black Magics)
Record: WON LOST POINTS POSITION
Round Robin 1 6 0 6 1st
Round Robin 2 6 1 10 1st
Round Robin 3 6 0 24 1st
Round Robin 4 5 0 25 1st
TOTAL 23 1 65 1st
Semi-final
v oneAustralia (J. Bertrand) 3 0
v TAG Heuer (C. Dickson) 3 0
v Nippon (M. Namba) 3 0
Team New Zealand didn't start three of its 12 scheduled races in the semi-finals
Final
v oneAustralia (J. Bertrand) 5 1
OVERALL 37 2
GRAND TOTAL RACES WON LOST
(1986-95) 120 103 17
NEW ZEALAND IN THE AMERICA'S CUP
1988-2000
San Diego 1988 - 27th Match
Syndicate: New Zealand Challenge
Head: Sir Michael Fay
Skipper: David Barnes
Boat: KZ1 (The Big Boat)
v Stars & Stripes (D. Conner)
WINNER MARGIN
Race 1 Stars & Stripes 18m 15s
Race 2 Stars & Stripes 21m 10s
STARS & STRIPES RETAINED AMERICA'S CUP 2-0
San Diego 1995 - 29th Match
Syndicate: Team New Zealand
Head: Peter Blake
Skipper: Russell Coutts
Boat: NZL32, NZL38 (Black Magics)
v Young America (D. Conner)
WINNER MARGIN
Race 1 Black Magic (NZL32) 2m 45s
Race 2 Black Magic (NZL32) 4m 14s
Race 3 Black Magic (NZL32) 1m 51s
Race 4 Black Magic (NZL32) 3m 37s
Race 5 Black Magic (NZL32) 1m 50s
TEAM NEW ZEALAND WON AMERICA'S CUP 5-0
Auckland 2000 - 30th Match
Syndicate: Team New Zealand
Head: Peter Blake
Skipper: Russell Coutts
Boat: NZL57, NZL60 (Black Magics)
v Prada (Francesco de Angelis)
WINNER MARGIN
Race 1 Black Magic (NZL60) 1m 17s
Race 2 Black Magic (NZL60) 2m 43s
Race 3 Black Magic (NZL60) 1m 39s
Race 4 Black Magic (NZL60) 1m 49s
Race 5 Black Magic (NZL60) 48s
TEAM NEW ZEALAND RETAINED AMERICA'S CUP 5-0
GRAND TOTAL RACES WON LOST
(1988-2000) 12 10 2
So that's it for the 10 part series of The Team New Zealand Story 1995 - 2003 book, we will see you next month in February as I will be covering both the 1st few rounds of the brand new Super Rugby season for 2019 (But 1st it is the Six Nations where the emerald isle of Ireland (Who will try to end the All Blacks dominance (Well it's all or nothing for the AB's as they desperately want to successfully do a three-peat by completing a hat-trick of Rugby World Cup titles (We won it 2011 after 24 long years then had successfully gone back to back in 2015) to go along with our success at the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987) at the Rugby World Cup when it gets underway in September this year in the land of the rising sun, Japan) begin their title defence against England on home soil at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin while Scotland begin their Six Nations campaign by facing the Italians at Murrayfield in Edinburgh & the French take on Wales at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis in the tournaments opening fixture) as well as my father & Raewyn's wedding on the 16th of February at Uncle Bryan & Aunty Viv's new place in Westmere & our 3rd venture to the South Island from the 27th of February until the 10th of March (We will be going to my old birthplace of Raetihi in commemoration of my brother Wiremu's birth on the 12th of March 2 days after our epic South Island trip) where I'll be going along with Pops, Aunty Tania & her French Canadian partner since 2011, Rejean Gatineau.
See you then.
So that is my 270th blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 10th of this year.
P.S. And Novak Djokovic has thrashed Rafael Nadal to win the Australian Open men's title (He had won 3 consecutive grand slam tournaments (Well he had to achieve the small slam) at both Wimbeldon & the US Open last year before he won in Australia but is attempting to win the French Open when the event takes place in late May-early June to claim a grand slam since the glory days of the great Australian Rod Laver (But the big question is can they stop clay court king Rafael Nadal from continuing his dominance at the French Open? We will find out in 4 months time) a day after Japan's Naomi Osaka had won the Australian Open women's title to add it to her victory at the US Open (Who had beaten home crowd favourite Serena Williams), beating twice Wimbeldon champion from the eastern European nation of the Czech Republic, Petra Kvitova (Who had to make a comeback after being out for a few years but had to move to Monte Carlo in the principality of Monaco from her homeland in the Czech Republic) but I now started following tennis (So too is Pops & Carole) since I bought that AO International Tennis game on the PS4.
And it has been 38 years since the underarm incident took place at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) which shocked the cricket world (Unlike the ball tampering saga by Australia that happened last year in South Africa), well, the Kiwis were supposed to win eh? No, of course not says the Aussies with only 6 more runs to win off the last ball of the match, well, one of the New Zealand players named McKechnie was trying to score a match winning six but one of the Aussie players Trevor Chappell told that he must bowl underarm instructed by his brother Greg but unfortunately for us we didn't win after Trevor Chappell (Who didn't have the chance to get married & have kids post underarm incident) bowled an underarm delivery (Well, it always results in a automatic but immediate no ball since the laws have changed in 1981 because it's an illegal delivery now).
v oneAustralia (J. Bertrand) 3 0
v TAG Heuer (C. Dickson) 3 0
v Nippon (M. Namba) 3 0
Team New Zealand didn't start three of its 12 scheduled races in the semi-finals
Final
v oneAustralia (J. Bertrand) 5 1
OVERALL 37 2
GRAND TOTAL RACES WON LOST
(1986-95) 120 103 17
NEW ZEALAND IN THE AMERICA'S CUP
1988-2000
San Diego 1988 - 27th Match
Syndicate: New Zealand Challenge
Head: Sir Michael Fay
Skipper: David Barnes
Boat: KZ1 (The Big Boat)
v Stars & Stripes (D. Conner)
WINNER MARGIN
Race 1 Stars & Stripes 18m 15s
Race 2 Stars & Stripes 21m 10s
STARS & STRIPES RETAINED AMERICA'S CUP 2-0
San Diego 1995 - 29th Match
Syndicate: Team New Zealand
Head: Peter Blake
Skipper: Russell Coutts
Boat: NZL32, NZL38 (Black Magics)
v Young America (D. Conner)
WINNER MARGIN
Race 1 Black Magic (NZL32) 2m 45s
Race 2 Black Magic (NZL32) 4m 14s
Race 3 Black Magic (NZL32) 1m 51s
Race 4 Black Magic (NZL32) 3m 37s
Race 5 Black Magic (NZL32) 1m 50s
TEAM NEW ZEALAND WON AMERICA'S CUP 5-0
Auckland 2000 - 30th Match
Syndicate: Team New Zealand
Head: Peter Blake
Skipper: Russell Coutts
Boat: NZL57, NZL60 (Black Magics)
v Prada (Francesco de Angelis)
WINNER MARGIN
Race 1 Black Magic (NZL60) 1m 17s
Race 2 Black Magic (NZL60) 2m 43s
Race 3 Black Magic (NZL60) 1m 39s
Race 4 Black Magic (NZL60) 1m 49s
Race 5 Black Magic (NZL60) 48s
TEAM NEW ZEALAND RETAINED AMERICA'S CUP 5-0
GRAND TOTAL RACES WON LOST
(1988-2000) 12 10 2
So that's it for the 10 part series of The Team New Zealand Story 1995 - 2003 book, we will see you next month in February as I will be covering both the 1st few rounds of the brand new Super Rugby season for 2019 (But 1st it is the Six Nations where the emerald isle of Ireland (Who will try to end the All Blacks dominance (Well it's all or nothing for the AB's as they desperately want to successfully do a three-peat by completing a hat-trick of Rugby World Cup titles (We won it 2011 after 24 long years then had successfully gone back to back in 2015) to go along with our success at the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987) at the Rugby World Cup when it gets underway in September this year in the land of the rising sun, Japan) begin their title defence against England on home soil at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin while Scotland begin their Six Nations campaign by facing the Italians at Murrayfield in Edinburgh & the French take on Wales at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis in the tournaments opening fixture) as well as my father & Raewyn's wedding on the 16th of February at Uncle Bryan & Aunty Viv's new place in Westmere & our 3rd venture to the South Island from the 27th of February until the 10th of March (We will be going to my old birthplace of Raetihi in commemoration of my brother Wiremu's birth on the 12th of March 2 days after our epic South Island trip) where I'll be going along with Pops, Aunty Tania & her French Canadian partner since 2011, Rejean Gatineau.
See you then.
So that is my 270th blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 10th of this year.
P.S. And Novak Djokovic has thrashed Rafael Nadal to win the Australian Open men's title (He had won 3 consecutive grand slam tournaments (Well he had to achieve the small slam) at both Wimbeldon & the US Open last year before he won in Australia but is attempting to win the French Open when the event takes place in late May-early June to claim a grand slam since the glory days of the great Australian Rod Laver (But the big question is can they stop clay court king Rafael Nadal from continuing his dominance at the French Open? We will find out in 4 months time) a day after Japan's Naomi Osaka had won the Australian Open women's title to add it to her victory at the US Open (Who had beaten home crowd favourite Serena Williams), beating twice Wimbeldon champion from the eastern European nation of the Czech Republic, Petra Kvitova (Who had to make a comeback after being out for a few years but had to move to Monte Carlo in the principality of Monaco from her homeland in the Czech Republic) but I now started following tennis (So too is Pops & Carole) since I bought that AO International Tennis game on the PS4.
And it has been 38 years since the underarm incident took place at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) which shocked the cricket world (Unlike the ball tampering saga by Australia that happened last year in South Africa), well, the Kiwis were supposed to win eh? No, of course not says the Aussies with only 6 more runs to win off the last ball of the match, well, one of the New Zealand players named McKechnie was trying to score a match winning six but one of the Aussie players Trevor Chappell told that he must bowl underarm instructed by his brother Greg but unfortunately for us we didn't win after Trevor Chappell (Who didn't have the chance to get married & have kids post underarm incident) bowled an underarm delivery (Well, it always results in a automatic but immediate no ball since the laws have changed in 1981 because it's an illegal delivery now).
Friday, 25 January 2019
The Team New Zealand Story 1995 - 2003: Chapter 9 (Boosting the economy)
Well, here is chapter 9 of The Team New Zealand story 1995 - 2003 book which is boosting the economy that I'm doing today on my blog:
It's no secret that holding the America's Cup is equally valuable for both sporting & economic reasons.
The difference is the sporting benefit isn't readily measurable. It's more a case of a feel-good rub-off but it's the sporting success - or at least the event itself - that drives the tangible by-products for the economy.
Team New Zealand's victory in San Diego in 1995 provided the opprtunity for the magic of the America's Cup to galvanise New Zealanders in a nationalistic sense but it also opened the door for huge financial benefits. Mounting a successful defence in 2000 then created the chance to at least double the value in 2003.
Various spin doctors insisted the cup would have an enormously positive effect on both the Auckland & national economies. Obviously the ultra rich syndicates coming to town would generate significant spending locally while the impact on tourism could never be under-estimated.
It turned out precisely that way during & even after the 2000 defence & now there's optimism the 2003 event may be potentially even more lucrative.
It's similar to the New Zealand film industry. Projects such as the Lord Of The Rings extravaganza advertise New Zealand in a special & spectacular manner; the expectation is that will have a flow-on boost for tourism numbers down the line.
So it is with the America's Cup. The exposure for New Zealand & Auckland particularly during the 2000 regatta could only be exceptionally positive. The television coverage of the racing itself enhanced Auckland's image & so did the contribution by a vast contingent of international media. The tangible rewards of such promotion are likely to manifest themselves in the 2003 regatta.
Such anticipation is based on the results of an America's Cup 2000 Economic Report which rolled out an array of numbers endorsing the event's influence.
It claims the America's Cup generated $640m of value added to the New Zealand economy & $473 to the Auckland region's economy. Government sources later pointed out the GST take alone from America's Cup revenue was in the region of $100m.
The breakdown of information was even more illuminating in the America's Cup report. Among other statistics it showed syndicates spent $149.2m, super yacht owners contributed $118m & international visitors $164m.
Among business areas to benefit from that significant spend were the marine sector ($126.7m), construction ($491.7m), accommodation ($64.2m), restaurants/hospitality ($51.3m), retail ($56.8m), entertainment & leisure ($33.2m) plus media & communications ($23.6m).
Many of the businesses to prosper can, of course, be found in & around the superb facility now known as the American Express Viaduct Harbour. The immediate vicinity with its restaurants, bars, super yacht facilities & various boat industry businesses is the natural magnet for the America's Cup regatta.
Massive development changed the face of the area for Team New Zealand's first defence. It was unrecognisable from the dilapidated facility it had been & the good news is that considerable improvements & extensions have been made since 2000. There's no question the American Express Viaduct Harbour sets Auckland apart from other venues that have staged America's Cup regattas.
Tourism New Zealand can also point to any number of ways in which the America's Cup benefits the country as a whole.
Once came when the Auld Mug was on display at the Genoa Boat Show in October 2000 (several months after Russell Coutts & others had left Team New Zealand). Dean Barker & Tom Schnackenberg were both present & helped to generate 25 spots on television networks across Italy (plus 29 newspaper articles).
Tourism New Zeland also says 39,000 international visitors were in New Zealand specifically for America's Cup 2000 but also travelled extensively to destinations such as Queenstown.
It points to the media's influence as well, highlighting the fact that of the 1600-strong media contingent covering the last regatta two thirds were from overseas. It was estimated that 400 million people saw 1500 hours of television coverage in 98 countries. As they say, that's publicity money can't buy & the benefits may only become apparent during the 2003 event.
The America's Cup is first & foremost a sporting contest but everyone knows it's also one of the most potent business tools in the sporting world.
Auckland & New Zealand have witnessed that once & are about to do so again. Many people have a vested interest in hoping there'll be more to come after 2003 as well.
So that is my 269th blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 9th of this year.
It's no secret that holding the America's Cup is equally valuable for both sporting & economic reasons.
The difference is the sporting benefit isn't readily measurable. It's more a case of a feel-good rub-off but it's the sporting success - or at least the event itself - that drives the tangible by-products for the economy.
Team New Zealand's victory in San Diego in 1995 provided the opprtunity for the magic of the America's Cup to galvanise New Zealanders in a nationalistic sense but it also opened the door for huge financial benefits. Mounting a successful defence in 2000 then created the chance to at least double the value in 2003.
Various spin doctors insisted the cup would have an enormously positive effect on both the Auckland & national economies. Obviously the ultra rich syndicates coming to town would generate significant spending locally while the impact on tourism could never be under-estimated.
It turned out precisely that way during & even after the 2000 defence & now there's optimism the 2003 event may be potentially even more lucrative.
It's similar to the New Zealand film industry. Projects such as the Lord Of The Rings extravaganza advertise New Zealand in a special & spectacular manner; the expectation is that will have a flow-on boost for tourism numbers down the line.
So it is with the America's Cup. The exposure for New Zealand & Auckland particularly during the 2000 regatta could only be exceptionally positive. The television coverage of the racing itself enhanced Auckland's image & so did the contribution by a vast contingent of international media. The tangible rewards of such promotion are likely to manifest themselves in the 2003 regatta.
Such anticipation is based on the results of an America's Cup 2000 Economic Report which rolled out an array of numbers endorsing the event's influence.
It claims the America's Cup generated $640m of value added to the New Zealand economy & $473 to the Auckland region's economy. Government sources later pointed out the GST take alone from America's Cup revenue was in the region of $100m.
The breakdown of information was even more illuminating in the America's Cup report. Among other statistics it showed syndicates spent $149.2m, super yacht owners contributed $118m & international visitors $164m.
Among business areas to benefit from that significant spend were the marine sector ($126.7m), construction ($491.7m), accommodation ($64.2m), restaurants/hospitality ($51.3m), retail ($56.8m), entertainment & leisure ($33.2m) plus media & communications ($23.6m).
Many of the businesses to prosper can, of course, be found in & around the superb facility now known as the American Express Viaduct Harbour. The immediate vicinity with its restaurants, bars, super yacht facilities & various boat industry businesses is the natural magnet for the America's Cup regatta.
Massive development changed the face of the area for Team New Zealand's first defence. It was unrecognisable from the dilapidated facility it had been & the good news is that considerable improvements & extensions have been made since 2000. There's no question the American Express Viaduct Harbour sets Auckland apart from other venues that have staged America's Cup regattas.
Tourism New Zealand can also point to any number of ways in which the America's Cup benefits the country as a whole.
Once came when the Auld Mug was on display at the Genoa Boat Show in October 2000 (several months after Russell Coutts & others had left Team New Zealand). Dean Barker & Tom Schnackenberg were both present & helped to generate 25 spots on television networks across Italy (plus 29 newspaper articles).
Tourism New Zeland also says 39,000 international visitors were in New Zealand specifically for America's Cup 2000 but also travelled extensively to destinations such as Queenstown.
It points to the media's influence as well, highlighting the fact that of the 1600-strong media contingent covering the last regatta two thirds were from overseas. It was estimated that 400 million people saw 1500 hours of television coverage in 98 countries. As they say, that's publicity money can't buy & the benefits may only become apparent during the 2003 event.
The America's Cup is first & foremost a sporting contest but everyone knows it's also one of the most potent business tools in the sporting world.
Auckland & New Zealand have witnessed that once & are about to do so again. Many people have a vested interest in hoping there'll be more to come after 2003 as well.
So that is my 269th blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 9th of this year.
Tuesday, 22 January 2019
The Team New Zealand Story 1995 - 2003: Chapter 8 (Sizing up the opposition)
Well, here is chapter 8 of The Team New Zealand story 1995 - 2003 book which is sizing up the opposition that I'm doing today on my blog:
New Zealand's standing as a world leader in yachting has been unchallenged for more than a decade now. It's been palpable in various forms of round the world events, on the world match racing circuit & especially in the realm of the America's Cup.
That position will surely enhanced for patently obvious reasons throughout the 2002-03 America's Cup regatta. While the America's Cup will never have another name it'll have more of New Zealand in it than ever when it goes on the line again in 2003.
Quite apart from the physical fact that New Zealand owns the cup right now & the geographical one that the country will stage the 2003 defence there's the human ingredient. And this is where the New Zealand flavour has crept into challenger syndicates in a more tangible manner.
Many pundits are confidently predicting The Match for the cup in February 2003 will indeed pit Team New Zealand against another New Zealand team in disguise.
Kiwi sailors have been dotted around challenging syndicates for some time. It's a reality with so many positions available at Team New Zealand. But the clutch of departures from the Kiwi camp after the 2000 defence means the New Zealand presence is far more profound now. It's most distinctive in Oracle Racing, One World &, of course, Ernesto Bertarelli's Team Alinghi featuring Team New Zealand masterminds Russell Coutts & Brad Butterworth.
Larry Ellison's Oracle Racing has New Zealand's John Cutler as its sailing director & CHris Dickson - the sailing face of the trailblazing Kiwi Magic campaign in 1986-87 - has been involved as well. Former Team New Zealand trimmer Robbie Naismith & boatbuilder Mark Turner are also on the roster of a syndicate that's well-fancied by many, although it has had some problems with major breakages in its Hauraki Gulf trials.
OneWorld, with former Team New Zealand designer Laurie Davidson as a driving force, launched its two new boats USA65 & USA67 early in 2002. Apart from Davidson there's ample Kiwi content on & off the water straight from Team New Zealand's class of 2000 - Richard Dodson, Richard Karn, Matt Mason, Ian Mitchell, Craig Monk, Jeremy Scantlebury, Wayne Smith, Andrew Taylor, Peter Waymouth & Neil Wilkinson.
Sailing under the Swiss flag, Team Alinghi can claim New Zealand's highest achievers to date in the America's Cup in Coutts & Butterworth as well as the enormously experienced trimmers Simon Daubney & Warwick Fleury, tactician Murray Jones & bowman Dean Phipps. With that kind of manpower boosted by Bertarelli's billions, there's an awful lot of smart money on the New Zealand ''Swiss'' connection winning the Louis Vuitton Cup to earn the right to challenge Team New Zealand.
That won't preclude Prada from being right there again, though, Patrizio Bertelli also has ample financial resources to fund a campaign that logically will improve after the success in 2000. It was no mean achievement to take on Team New Zealand for the America's Cup then even though it ended in a 5-0 defeat. But there'll be some optimism that the Italians can better than effort this time.
It would seem likely those four will constitute the primary contenders for the ultimate challenge against Dean Barker's best although the process for finding that team is rather more convoluted this time. The insistence among the challenging syndicates is that the new format will ensure the winner will be better prepared than Prada was for its bid in 2000.
Among those excluded from this speculation are Dennis Conner with his umpteenth campaign, Sweden's Victory Challenge & the GBR Challenge, Great Britain's long overdue return to the America's Cup arena with New Zealand's David Barnes as its general manager. None of them is without hope but they don't seem to compare as favourably as any of the more highly-rated syndicates.
For Team New Zealand followers there may be divided opinion on what might be the preferable outcome in the Louis Vuitton Cup - to have Coutts eliminated in the challenger campaign so he has no chance of taking the America's Cup off his old team, or to have him go all the way to The Match & then be beaten by Team New Zealand. Make your pick.
So that is my 268th blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 8th of this year.
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