New Zealand syndicate head reveals death threats

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) -- Sir Peter Blake, head of the New Zealand syndicate that won the America's Cup, revealed that he's<br>received letters from someone threatening to kill him and harm

Friday, March 3rd 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) -- Sir Peter Blake, head of the New Zealand syndicate that won the America's Cup, revealed that he's
received letters from someone threatening to kill him and harm his family.

"We've always got crank mail, but it has been going beyond that recently," Blake said. "So we have taken all the precautions we were advised to take. It hasn't diminished our enjoyment of the Cup, though."

Blake and his family have been watched around the clock by bodyguards.

The threats didn't keep Blake and his wife from riding in a parade Saturday through downtown Auckland to honor Team New
Zealand. The vehicle they rode in also carried the America's Cup, which later was formally presented to the crew.

The sailors from the losing Italian syndicate, the Prada Challenge, also were in the parade. Team New Zealand's yacht, Black Magic, completed a 5-0 win over Prada's Luna Rossa on Thursday.

Black Magic skipper Russell Coutts said the parade served as motivation to try to keep the America's Cup in New Zealand, which
became the first nation other than the United States to defend the oldest trophy in sports.

"I don't want to be around when we lose, because I don't think it would be near as much fun," Coutts said. "There's nothing like a good, healthy, big fear of losing to push us along."

Luna Rossa skipper Francesco de Angelis was gracious in defeat.

"Now that the games are over, it's good that the new Zealand people will keep this cup for the next three years."