Many commiserations to Dean Barker and the entire ETNZ syndicate.  It has been a thrilling ride and we can only imagine their disappointment after receiving, I would suggest, a little more than their share of bad luck.

We salute their outstanding achievement in the LV Cup and a heroic tilt at the Cup itself.  At the same time, we congratulate Oracle on an astonishing, unlikely fight-back.  

Statistically, ETNZ sailed their best race in the final showdown, posting their best upwind and downwind times and highest average speeds around the course.  Clearly, neither side was giving any quarter and the key components of ability, teamwork and heart were manifest in both crews.

Pain is temporary, glory is forever and it is certain that this America's Cup - and these crews -  will be long remembered and celebrated for all the right reasons, despite the bitter disappointment of defeat we feel now. 

Your correspondent is just now emerging from behind the sofa from where he has been watching the America's Cup racing from between white knuckles.  If that kind of balls-out action isn't enough to whet your appetite for some yacht racing, then you're a landlubber with nary a drop of brine in your blood - or possibly dead from shock after Saturday's stroke-inducing near-miss.

The good news is that this weekend's Spring Regatta is shaping up nicely with 5 entries confirmed to bid for the Warwick Gair Cup.

The Spring Regatta affords all owners and crews the perfect opportunity to look over the boat, dredge out the sandwiches they left in the locker after the Nationals, recall the list of 'to dos' not yet done and get back in the groove before the Summer Series kicks off in earnest in just 3 short weeks.

A 1300 start will allow time to watch the kids sport and shake down the boat, so get on the blower sharpish and rustle up your crew.

I'll be posting all entries and some updates over the course of the next few days - contact me with any feedback or questions.

DON'T HAVE A BOAT?  SHORT ON CREW?  VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR BOTH.