Tobin Makes The Grade / America's Cup Nationalism

Richard Gladwell
NZ Editor

15 Jun 2007

Tobin makes the grade / America's Cup nationalism -- Sail World

The great news from Cyprus is that another sailor has achieved the YNZ Olympic Squad entry benchmark of a top eight placing, or better, in the European Championships.

After missing the mark by a few metres in Turkey, last year, Jon-Paul Tobin maintained his focus and got away to an excellent start in the 2007 Europeans just completed in Cyprus.

Last night he placed 9th in the Medal Race, and finished the regatta in equal seventh place on points, or eighth when the countback was applied.

Barbara Kendall turned in another excellent performance to be fourth overall, continuing her excellent run in Europe this season.

On the America's Cup scene the subject of nationalism seems to be the pre-Match rage.

We feature Bob Fisher's views on the subject, and have undertaken our own review of the various nationality rules which have prevailed since 1980.

The topic has set the radio sports shows alive in New Zealand, with the full ranges of view being expressed – made all the easier by the fact that no sailing knowledge is required, and listeners can relate the America's Cup situation, to any sport with which they are familiar.

The fact that America's Cup is generating hour after hour of radio talkback is indicative of how the Cup Fever has overcome New Zealand. It's a familiar ailment, but this time seems to be an even more severe bout, and is really only in its early stages.

That the beloved All Blacks are working into the final stages of a Rugby World Cup campaign seems to be fairly incidental, as the focus goes on every nuance of the build-up in Valencia.

When the Cup begins next weekend, we can no doubt look forward to the New Zealand GDP taking its usual hit, as the focus goes firmly on the sailing by four million bleary eyed Kiwis.

Can't wait.

Good sailing!

ENDS

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