Greatness New Zealand has successfully defended the America's Cup, the oldest contested sporting trophy in the world. Team New Zealand has been superior in so many areas the final races gave commentators little to talk about. Out came the record books. Charlie Barnes, a yatching legend held a record for the greatest number of consecutive wins, nine in a row. Chris Coutts, the NZ captain had nine wins. And he let the "young lad" drive. Chris Coutts had decided it was time to move on and a younger man would take his place in the next series. A commentator anxious to find a story challenged Chris pointing out that if he been at the helm for the last race he would have bettered Barnes' record. There are a lot of things Chris could have said.
Instead Chris replied,
" I think Charlie would have made the same decision."
Greatness in a nutshell.
Besting others takes away from their greatness and diminishes your own. Chris's answer enhanced both reputations.
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