TV1 6pm News Bulletin (First Segment)

America’s Cup - Dean Barker - End Of The Road For Sir Peter - Spectators Around The Country - Congratulations To The Team - Next America’s Cup

AMERICA’S CUP: With a clean sweep Team New Zealand are the first team to successfully defend the America’s Cup outside United States, beating the Italians five-nil. Celebrations are continuing at the America’s Cup Village with over 70,000 spectators packing the wharves to greet the victors. Police say there have been no problems.

DEAN BARKER - Dean Barker replaced Skipper Russell Coutts to sail the final winning race. His first America’s Cup race, Barker easily outmaneuvered the Italians. Barker had been racing Coutts in Cup practices in Team New Zealand's other yacht.

END OF THE ROAD FOR SIR PETER: Team New Zealand’s Cup success marks the end of Sir Peter Blake’s association with the America’s Cup. He now leaves the country to head the Cousteu society.

SPECTATORS AROUND THE COUNTRY: For every spectator at the Village there were thousands more supporting New Zealand’s defence around the country. Shops with televisions became surrounded by spectators in Auckland and Christchurch.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TEAM: From across the Tasman, Prime Minister Helen Clark took time off from her official schedule to congratulate the race winners. Auckland’s Mayor Christine Fletcher has announced a parade on Queen Street this Saturday.

NEXT AMERICA’S CUP: The next America’s Cup regatta will start in the Hauraki Gulf in late 2002 with Team NZ head Sir Peter Blake announcing the decision. The US, Japan, France, Australia and Italy are all expected to contest the next Cup.

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