Americas Cup Harbor- Auckland, New Zealand -Jan. 11, 2000

Position: Americas Cup Harbor- Auckland, New Zealand -Jan. 11, 2000

NEW YEARS EVE IN AUCKLAND

We were in the first country to welcome the New Millenium and found it arrived without the world stopping events everyone was warned about. It was just a good old fashion New Year's Eve celebration in New Zealand just as in MN. All of our visiting families, Hoopers and Campbells, stayed up to watch the fireworks and the start of the New Year 2000!

Fireworks started from the top of the Sky Tower the first half hour then the display continued on the Harbor Bridge, on to Devenport and finally on a barge in the middle of the Hauraki Harbor. Over an hour of fireworks were enjoyed by all of us as we danced and sang in the rain on the deck of SeaQuell. The 4 grandchildren out danced us all and even had strength for a game of Spite and Malice before calling an end to the celebration.

The family toured Auckland, took a bus trip to Taupo and also a flying trip to the South Island enjoying Queenstown area. Excitement and fun for everyone, hang gliding, jet boating river trip, a Sheep ranch, hot springs, train ride and many other events in the interior of the Islands. They managed to see all the highlights of this fabulous country.

After their return to Auckland we went to enjoy the races with our captain putting Seaquell right on the start and finish line for all the races. The TV gave us the audio as the crews were shouting for their right-of-way by the rules and the referee putting up penalty flags, boats making other boats commit penalties with one finish only winning by a few seconds. We learned much about racing and the intrigue as the games are played out on the water as well as on shore.

Being at the actual races, as the excitement builds we all have a better understanding of the competitiveness and difficulties these teams face trying to win. Also we appreciate the months (years) of preparation and the teamwork necessary.

Our alliance of the Louis Vuitton Series was with Stars and Stripes. Our Virgin Islands team joined Dennis Conner's Stars and Stripes so of course we were supportive fans. I was fortunate to have sailed on Stars and Stripe on a non- race day while testing sails. Even sailed the boat for about 15 minutes. Thanks to Peter Holmberg and Dennis Conner for the invitation, an experience of a lifetime. It was disappointing they lost the crucial race, which put them out of the finals. We still have San Francisco's team, America One racing the Italians's team Prada to determine who will challenge New Zealand. The finals of the Louis Vuitton series start Jan 25 and the best of 9 races will win. We will be cheering America One and our visiting Italian friends will be cheering Prada -- should be fun!!

It was great to have the families with us for the holidays and we all hope they can come back soon. We expect to be in New Zealand until the end of March. The final race against the Kiwi's starts Feb. 19. It will be either America One or Prada that race the Kiwi's for the coveted Americas Cup.

Our New Year Wishes are for all of our FAMILIES and FRIENDS to HAVE A MEMORABLE AND HAPPY YEAR 2000 and BEYOND!!!

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