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Superstitions abound 'Lucky' socks and the America’s Cup
Posted: Friday February 18, 2000 05:57 PM
Joyce Harvey, Special to CNNSI.com AUCKLAND -- The patter of thousands of yachting fans in red socks can be heard throughout the America's Cup Village in Auckland this weekend. Throngs of people started crowding the village well before breakfast. Officials estimate 3,000 spectator boats will huddle about the racecourse and another 30,000 people will watch Race One from the waterfront. Many of those spectators are sporting the home team's "lucky" red socks. Parents, children, infants and even a few dogs were spotted with the same socks Team New Zealand sailors wears every race. Team NZ syndicate head Sir Peter Blake started selling red socks to raise funds for their 1995 campaign. Now the "lucky" socks are a standard part of the crew uniform and probably most of the population of New Zealand. In the spirit of fair competition and international sportsmanship, a local kiwi donated 150 pairs of socks in the color of the Italian flag to team Prada. Although the gesture was much appreciated a few crewmembers won't been seen wearing the green, white and red socks Saturday. Green is a traditionally an "unlucky" color to have on a boat. The socks are embroidered with the words "Buono fortuna, Italia Luna Rosso." The translation mistake is much to the amusement of the Italian sailors who say the socks are their "gift voucher" for good luck. For all the years of preparation, and endless training, teams still look to lady luck for that extra edge. Prada skipper Francesco de Angelis wears the same "lucky" shirt and sunglasses for every race. No one ever said sailors are not a superstitious lot, it's simply tradition.
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