Cup fever reaches right inland

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 586, 16 May 1995, Page 1

Cup fever reaches right inland

The atmosphere was at fever pitch on Sunday morning as a small crowd gathered at Beedees, The Hobbit, the Ohakune Hotel and Waimarino Cosmopolitan Club for champagne breakfasts to celebrate the 5th and final race of the America's Cup. The crowd cheered Team NZ at Beedees amidst continuous plates of bacon and eggs emerging from the kitchen. Brian Dowsett, wearing a red outfit, set the dress standard, while most patrons and staff wore their pair of lucky red socks. When Team NZ crossed the line the coffee bar erupted in spontaneous applause and cheers. Peter Berry from Berry's bookshop said the first shipment of Americas Cup red socks was

sold within three days of arriving. It took two weeks before the next batch arriyed on Wednesday of last week and all 30 pairs were sold by the evening. "It was a saies gimmick that really caught on" said Peter. The Prime Minister hinted broadly that since New Zealand won the America's Cup, employers should give their workers a day off. The Bulletin did a quick survey around town to see what people thought about a special public holiday. Only eight out of the 15 surveyed thought it was a great idea - their reasoning being that they were in favour of any excuse for a day off. Seven out of the 1 5 took the moral high ground and voted against a public holiday as:

the America' s Cup was not a significant enough event to warrant a national holiday; there are enough public holidays already; and that the America' s Cup was not about sport as it was too commercial. Raetihi also joins in Americas Cup fever Raetihi joined in the Americas Cup fever, with the Cosmopolitan Club inviting its members to a champagne breakfast and to toast Mothers' Day into the bargain. There were 20-30 present and the cheers came fast and furious as the big boat crossed the line. Raetihi Hotel put on a smorgasbord for Mothers Day and celebrations continhed for quite some time.