The Star: July 13, 2017

4 Thursday July 13 2017
Latest Christchurch news at www. .kiwi
The Star
America’s Cup parade
Rain, sleet but a very warm welcome
About 6000 people braved the freezing rain and sleet to
celebrate Emirates Team New Zealand’s America’s Cup win
yesterday. Reporter Bridget Rutherford and photographer
Martin Hunter went along to capture the action
RON MACKIE always knew Joe
Sullivan would be a good sailor.
He taught the Emirates Team
New Zealand cyclist how to sail
on the Waimakariri River as a
child.
And yesterday, the pair reunited
during the America’s Cup victory
parade through the central city.
The 84-year-old travelled from
Rangiora, and got the chance to
chat with his old student, and get a
close look at the Auld Mug.
He, along with about 6000 others,
braved the freezing conditions
and sleet to welcome the team to
Christchurch.
Mr Mackie, a Waimakariri Sailing
Club member who still gets out
on the water, said he took Sullivan
and his older brother Brayden on a
four-day sailing course.
“They were quite good little
sailors. I have a photo of them
at home when they won a club
trophy.”
During the America’s Cup campaign
in Bermuda, the pair had
stayed in contact.
“He sent a very nice text from
Bermuda at the start, and I think it
said: ‘We’re a young team, but we
have the right people, in the right
place, at the right time, and I think
we will improve’,” Mr Mackie said.
Emirates Team New Zealand
went on to beat Oracle 7-1.
Sullivan, a former Olympic
gold medal rower, grew up in
Christchurch before moving to
Picton. He said the reunion with
his old coach was “emotional” and
“fantastic.”
He said Mr Mackie taught him
well.
“It’s great to see Ron, he’s 84 and
still out sailing.”
Redwood man Patrick Bennett
got to kiss the America’s Cup as it
went past and in spite of the chilly
conditions, it was “pretty warm.”
“I’ve been waiting a long time to
see that.”
Siblings Angel, 5, and Dustin
Shaw, 7, were both excited they got
to touch the trophy when helmsman
Peter Burling passed through
with it.
Their mother, Erica Salazar said
it was an “amazing experience” for
them.
Burling said they had received
an “amazing reception” but he was
finding the weather a bit cold.
REUNITED:
Ron Mackie
taught
Emirates
Team New
Zealand’s Joe
Sullivan how
to sail on the
Waimakariri
River when
he was a
child. Below
– A crowd of
about 6000
attended
the parade
including
Patrick
Bennett
(below) who
got to kiss
the Auld Mug.
Black
ReloCation
Sale!
$200 oFF
all bikeS
on the Show
Room FlooR
Great for the rail trail
RIKONDA
Trail:
10ah or 16ah
battery
RRP from $1,899
Sale Price From
$1,699
Folding e-bike for
convenience & portability
RIKONDA
Folding:
10ah or 16ah
battery
RRP from $1,899
Sale Price From
$1,699
Reverse
Great for commuting to work
RIKONDA
Commuter:
10ah or 16ah
battery
RRP from $1,899
Sale Price From
$1,699
Perfect for city commuting
RIKONDA
Commuter Elite:
16ah battery
RRP $2,699
Sale Price
$2,499
Gold
✓ Quality at affordable prices
✓ Excellent after sales service
✓ Workshop servicing
✓ Free safety checks
PRESENTS
Free demonstration & test ride | Ph: 03 377 4886
We are proudly Canterbury’s
own electric cycle brand!
Silver
13 – 22 JULY BOOK NOW
ticketek.co.nz
Retail Store: 285 Cashel Street
sales@icycleelectric.co.nz | www.icycleelectric.co.nz