Bay celebrates America’s cup connections
The Bay of Islands has played a key part in Emirates Team New Zealand America’s Cup win, from the sailors themselves through to the crew off the boat.
Kerikeri’s Blair Tuke led the group with Far North connections, as a cyclist and foil trimmer on Aotearoa, which claimed the Auld Mug following a 7-1 series victory over Oracle Team USA on Bermuda’s Great Sound.
Opua’s Chris Hornell was involved with on water operations including working as a chase boat driver, mechanic and rescue diver.
His family - wife Manuela, and their two children Rebecca and Sophie - have been in Bermuda since the end of January.
‘‘We have bumped into so many people from the Bay of Islands - who decided at short notice to travel to Bermuda to support the team,’’ Manuela says.
‘‘We are not fully aware how much the country has gone crazy, [as] we are home next week.’’
Legendary Kerikeri sailing coach Derry Godbert, who coached Tuke during his time sailing at Kerikeri High School, says the result was a ‘‘really nice clear victory’’.
Godbert says as a 10-year-old, Tuke was more into wake boarding than sailing, but that taught him about balance on the water.
‘‘He was always a water person and his mum and dad were always very supportive. I’ve known Peter [Burling] since the school teams sailing setup. I remember him coming back from the world 420’s where he was the world champion at 15.
‘‘We were at the school teams national sailing event and Peter was late back, no one knew he was a world champion. He is such a nice humble person and Blair is very much the same.’’
Godbert says Emirates Team New Zealand cyclist Andy Maloney also spent three years sailing at Kerikeri High School.
‘‘There’s a sort of tradition of sailing in the Bay of Islands. We sail well above our population size, maybe there is something in the water. It’s very very exciting and a well put together team that won the America’s Cup, I love seeing young people do well.’’