Amid a mix of reactions to Russell Coutts receiving his latest accolade, the DCM - Don't Come Monday - from his Swiss employers yesterday, one emotion thin on the ground for the world's finest sailor was sympathy.

This shouldn't be a surprise given that four years ago he was the central figure in the biggest opinion divider in New Zealand sport since a bloke called Shelford copped a red card from the All Black selectors in 1990.

There were some similarities. But there was one key difference: Shelford didn't pack his bags and become a Wallaby overnight.   more...

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/americascup/acstorydisplay.cfm?storyID=3580782&thesection=sport&thesubsection=americascup&thesecondsubsection=challengers