Adam Cooper: Should we be staking national pride on the America's Cup?

The All Sport Breakfast

It's being billed as Great Britain versus New Zealand with the 37th America's Cup beginning off the coast of Barcelona overnight on Saturday.

But is it really? And is it something we should still be putting our national pride on the line for?

It's two big money-making syndicates with egos on the line just as much as sailing on the water - with a couple of countries' flags and colours thrown on the AC75 yachts for good measure.

For me, there's a continued sour taste around how this whole regatta's been arranged, most notably around the Barcelona location.

I think the whole ordeal has taken much of the spark off the previous high regard many held Team New Zealand in.

Given the support, engagement, and investment the syndicate received from up and down Aotearoa when the last edition was here in early 2021, Team New Zealand owed it to Kiwis to stage it here again. Not screw around the government support and the many willing to make something happen.

I have enormous respect for the likes of Peter Burling and some of the sailors, and also admire the fact Team New Zealand bases itself in Auckland – that brings employment and financial benefits to the city.

But realistically, it's a syndicate largely backed by a pile of big overseas companies, that reap the financial benefits of using the New Zealand brand without the country itself reaping the full benefits of so called “Team New Zealand”.

The regatta being staged in Barcelona is extremely telling when it comes to the team's priorities.

I may be proven wrong, but I think the overnight TV time slots along with the growing distrust from many Kiwis will be the beginning of the end in terms of this country's odd fascination and engagement with the America's Cup.

Sad, given the joy it's brought so many of us over so many years.

And equally sad that's a situation that could so easily have been avoided.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.