A man police say a Maori protester badly damaged the America's Cup, international yachting's most prized trophy, with a sledgehammer .
Police said in Auckland, New Zealand, that a 27-year-old man dressed in a suit walked into the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron clubhouse, where the cup is housed, and made his way unchallenged to a first-floor room where the cup is kept on display in a glass case. Police spokes person said the suspect pulled out the sledgehammer and began striking the glass case in a frenzied attack.
The large, ornate silver pitcher, which New Zealand took from the United States in 1995, was badly dented and scratched.
New Zealand's National Radio said the Cup was "virtually destroyed" and would have to be rebuilt.
The Americas Cup was Originally made by the Crown Jewelers 150 years ago and was retuned to them for restoration by their Master Craftsmen, Rod Hingston ( Silversmith), Jeff Havis (Chaser) and Stephen Goldsmith (polisher).
Just adding the finishing touches
Stephen features in the Sky advert for the Premier League Trophy
This was a publicity shot for the World Rugby Magazine
Featured in the Official magaizine for the World Cricket
Stephen has polished most of the Wimbledon Trophies
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The Americas Cup Restoration
A man police say a Maori protester badly damaged the America's Cup, international yachting's most prized trophy, with a sledgehammer .
Police said in Auckland, New Zealand, that a 27-year-old man dressed in a suit walked into the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron clubhouse, where the cup is housed, and made his way unchallenged to a first-floor room where the cup is kept on display in a glass case. Police spokes person said the suspect pulled out the sledgehammer and began striking the glass case in a frenzied attack.
The large, ornate silver pitcher, which New Zealand took from the United States in 1995, was badly dented and scratched.
New Zealand's National Radio said the Cup was "virtually destroyed" and would have to be rebuilt.
The Americas Cup was Originally made by the Crown Jewelers 150 years ago and was retuned to them for restoration by their Master Craftsmen, Rod Hingston ( Silversmith), Jeff Havis (Chaser) and Stephen Goldsmith (polisher).
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