Pride in purpose and innovation
IT is a private syndicate and calls itself Emirates Team New Zealand (TNZ). It lacked fresh government funding. After the devastating loss in San Francisco four years ago and with America’s Cup holder Oracle Team USA stacking the odds in its favour, there were doubts whether the effort was worthwhile.
Yet, something remarkable occurred in Bermuda. Peter Burling, Grant Dalton et al triumphed this past month. Oracle in 2013 came from 18 down to win 98 in one of the most remarkable comebacks in sport. This time, TNZ recovered from the ignominy and heartbreak in its own extraordinary comeback.
New Zealanders’ respectlovehatedisdain of the Cup turned to fascination as TNZ set sail. The attraction burgeoned as the doubters recognised something astonishing was happening. Innovation, skill and purpose had put TNZ in the race — despite much smaller budgets, despite isolation and des pite the way the rules were rigged. Tack by tack interest grew, as did belief. Burling, Glenn Ashby and the crew were the real deal. The boat was seriously fast.
Calamity struck when the catamaran ‘‘pitchpolled’’. With all hands on deck, repairs were engineered and TNZ was sailing away. The challenger series was won and the nemesis in Oracle and Australian helmsman Jimmy Spithall was then confronted.
Nothing was taken for granted until the sailors hugged after crossing the line yesterday morning. Oracle had found new speed, and won one race. But TNZ itself was running smoother, and mistakes were eliminated. What a moment of mastery it was in the prestart on Monday morning when Oracle was boxed in and stranded. Burling’s cheeky wave goodbye was poignant.
Already an Olympic gold medallist, and at only age 26, he is this country’s new hero, exuding calm and competence. Neutral observers might have found the finals too onesided. New Zealanders did not care. All we sought was the result.
New Zealanders took pride in the sailors (including the ‘‘cyclors’’), the teamwork and the technology and innovation. We would love to see ourselves as the Switzerland of the South Pacific — smart, wellorganised, motivated. We know prosperity cannot simply come from the udders of cows but requires the attributes TNZ exhibited. As with the All Blacks, we revel in displays of excellence and purpose. They provide lessons for business, science and government. Success does not depend on having the most players or the biggest budgets.
Why cannot that thinking and approach be applied to other challenges? What about to reduce methane emissions from farm ani mals, to increase productivity, across technology companies, to the Auckland housing crisis?
Dunedin has its own source of pride: the particular parts in the American’s Cup experience played by businesses based in the city — Annimation Research, Igtimi and Bison Group.
As the celebrations continue, speculation about Auckland and the next America’s Cup has began. Even with home advantage and as the holder, TNZ will face plenty of head winds, and have to do it all again.
The rest of us have the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the success and look forward to the likely machinations, tensions and excitement in Auckland, probably in 2021.