Editor’s letter

y body clock has officially changed. I used to wake up at 6.15am on the dot, but thanks to watching two months of America’s Cup racing on the laptop in bed, I now automatically wake at 5.10am. But I swear, the early starts were totally worth it when Team New Zealand won the Auld Mug last week. I’m still on cloud nine.

Our eight-year-old Darcy struggled with the timetable and slept through most of the races, despite his best intentions. But there was no way he was missing Tuesday. He asked to sleep with us so he had a better chance of being up. He’s such a little wriggler, that’s usually a total no-no, but this make-or-break moment in our nation’s history meant an exception to the rule was made. And we had the worst sleep ever – me squashed in the middle.

Team NZ was flying high on the hopes of our nation – and our young son, who worships helmsman Peter Burling – and they made us all proud. We had an incredible boat, but our sailors were simply the best. I loved watching Peter and skipper Glenn Ashby get better and better throughout the series, taking it one race at a time, increasing in confidence but remaining cool, calm and humble throughout. And now the America’s Cup is coming back to NZ. God, it feels good!

For my little boy – who comes from a long line of sailors on his dad’s side – I think heading out on the family catamaran this summer will take on a whole new meaning. Darcy loves the open sea, but it’s his grandfather and Dad who do all the hard work (I’m fairly hopeless!). Through the America’s Cup, Darcy’s eyes have been opened to the thrill and skill in sailing – and he now has a new hero in Peter Burling. Roll on, summer!