GOOD LUCK TEAM N. Z :

For New Zealanders, red socks are a symbol of success. In 1995 they united the country when we challenged for the America's Cup in San Diego. Sir Peter Blake at the helm wore a pair of red socks, given to him by his wife, & we won several races. Then one day Peter was injured & he wasn't on the boat & it was the only race we lost ! That was the beginning of the Red Socks campaign. The crew wore them; all Kiwis were encouraged to wear them, & they did, from the Prime Minister, school children, bus drivers, office cleaners, farmers & factory workers, parliamentarians & the lot. It was a fun time. T. V. showed old ladies knitting red socks in rest homes & there was a frenzy for all citizens, old & young to wear them - which they did. Eventually we won that challenge & Sir Peter Blakes red socks became a reminder of how we could dream big, & the indomitable Kiwi spirit that works, to make those dreams come true. We are a small nation & we punch above our weight. Tomorrow we set sail on the waters of Bermuda, to try & win back the cup again. In this series N. Z. leads 3-0 & it is the first to 7. I wish you well team New Zealand, may the wind be behind you & rest assured I will be wearing my red socks. GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE CREW.