‘Poor Sportsmen’: U.S. Blasted in New Zealand

WELLINGTON, New Zealand —  Most New Zealanders consider Americans “poor sportsmen” and favor launching a new international yachting event to replace the America’s Cup, government minister Mike Moore said today.

Moore, whose portfolio includes America’s Cup affairs, said he had received a number of letters from New Zealanders keen to see yachting’s most famous trophy replaced by a new sailing event.

He said that might eventually happen, adding that he does not believe the idea should be officially explored until a long-running court dispute between the San Diego Yacht Club and New Zealand’s Mercury Bay Boating Club has been resolved.

“There is another court round to go, one more chance for the American court system to uphold the view that sports people should meet on equal terms,” Moore said.

“I think a lot of Kiwis find the prospect of yet another court round a bit disappointing. But, on the other hand, I don’t think they’d support our players walking off the field before the game is over.”

Moore said he doesn’t agree that all Americans should be labeled poor sports, despite a New York appellate court ruling last week saying there are no constraints on the America’s Cup defender’s vessel. That ruling reversed an earlier decision in favor of New Zealand.