Loser: The America’s Cup
This is the worst America’s Cup.
It is the Barcelona bore.
Way back, it was an enigmatic sailing contest of dodgy rule manipulation and fascinating people - Ted Turner, Dennis Conner, Alan Bond et al.
Then it became a great Kiwi crusade, full of drama and characters, from here and abroad. We had a parade. We had Peter Montgomery.
Then it became a high-speed foiling spectacular.
Those were the days.
Taking the contest to Spain is a miscalculation by Grant Dalton, although he won’t care.
Yes, New Zealand’s actual defence of the Auld Mug against Britain or Italy will perk things up.
But the magic has gone. It’s been turned into just another cold, remote, professional sports contest.
Flat as a millpond.