Search

Home > The Mike Hosking Breakfast > Mike's Minute: America's Cup angst won't matter if Team NZ win


	Podcast:		The Mike Hosking Breakfast
	Episode:		Mike's Minute: America's Cup angst won't matter if Team NZ win
	Category:		News & Politics
	Duration:		00:01:58
	Publish Date:		2022-03-28 21:16:07
	Description:		It's one of life's ironies. Feedback I have got over the years on the America's Cup is how much we hate it, how many rich pricks are involved, and how no one cares. And so it goes, until racing starts and the nation comes to a stop. Now the feedback I am getting is how unfair it all is that it won't be held here anymore, almost as though we will miss it and we quite liked it when we had it. Problem with change is not a lot of people like it and struggle to get used to it. But change, once again, is coming. Here is what we can say about the America's Cup that most of us would agree on, the mad old days of endless court battles over boats, sizing, and rules are long gone. A catamaran against a monohull is never happening again. The new rules that encourage more entries, rules that share technology, and rules that mean you have to be a local to sail for your team are all designed to make the event simpler, more accessible, and more stable. What we now appear hung up on is the idea that it has to be held at the owner's place. That would be nice. But if it's not viable, and let's not get into that debate because you'll never get true clarity or agreement, but if it's not, what on Earth is unusual about following a national sports team at a foreign venue in a foreign land looking to win a major sporting prize? Once upon a time it was something we loved. Very few of our great sporting moments on the international stage are held here. From world championships to gold medals, they are all offshore. Many of them are offshore for good reason, population and money. Sport is business and sports need to be where the people and the eyeballs are. Time zones have always been an issue in this part of the world. And yes, putting pictures of New Zealand out to the globe is a winner and the economic rub off of having events here tend to pay their way and then some. But, if you accept the Team New Zealand word that the money isn't here, at least at the levels that allow the team to defend and win, then what other choice do they have? I would rather be elsewhere and win than be at home and lose. No, it's not perfect, but then neither is losing. My bet is this, a location will be announced, the moaners will moan, and the haters will hate, but come start time the America's Cup will be the same as it's always been. Whether it's been in Perth, San Diego, New York, Bermuda, or Auckland, we have watched and loved them all. Locations counts, but winning counts more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
	Total Play:		0