Choker or Comeback Kid?

The scene was set for a fantastic David and Goliath style victory. The tiny nation of New Zealand taking on the might of the USA in the Americas Cup (hey – they’re so good at this event, it’s named after them) and inexplicably forging an 8-1 lead.

‘Great work Kiwis- game over’ people said. ‘Serves that Aussie right’ the Antipodeans thought of the traitorous Ben Ainslie, Australian captain of the American Crew. The same man who people chuckled and scoffed at in press conferences when he said his team was still in with a shot.

And yet his hunger and determination bore the sweetest fruit – one of, if not THE, greatest comeback in sporting history; grabbing a 9-8 win and deserved global admiration.

The choker/comeback dichotomy and spectacle. As spectators do we actually love the tenacity of the comeback kids or are we revelling in Schadenfreude at the train wreck loss by their opponents? Depends a little bit on if your team is playing or not I guess.

Not long after the excitement of the Americas Cup, I watched the team to which I had recently pledged allegiance fold like origami in the NRL semis. Souths, the Bunnies – with my fellow compatriots the Burgess Boys, the Daddy G.I. and a 42 year winning drought – this was my perfect team! Yet another night at my sporting HQ, The Star, with partner in crime, Gold Coast Blonde, we watched them lose an 8 point lead to go out of the competition and break their own and their fans’ hearts for yet another year. What happened at half time after that amazing spell of defence at the end of the first half? They crumbled, Manly stepped it up and not another point was scored in answer. Russell Crow was not happy. “Are you not entertained?” No. You might have to pop your gladiator sandals on next season love.

So many chokes/comebacks over the years, across so many sports. Greg Norman in the 96 US Masters, Jimmy White in a couple of snooker world finals, Steven Bradbury’s speed skating upset in the Salt Lake Winter Olympics, Roberto Baggio in the 94 World Cup final penalty shootout. I remember them all vividly. Hmm interestingly all sportsMEN that have sprung to mind…

An analogy for the current dating scene I’m experiencing in Sydney? Men who flounder when speaking to women who might have an opinion that differs from theirs? Men who just walk away when they might have to make a bit more effort than a drunken ‘Hi. What’s your name? How old are you? Want to come home with me?’ (a genuine pick up attempt I have experienced – would genuinely be interested in his success rate with that one).

So my question is this – single men on the prowl, when you are chatting up a modern woman of this world and she says something slightly challenging, will you choke and disappear quietly into the night? Or will you hit her with a dazzling comeback that makes her pause for a second, frown slightly, then smile as she thinks ‘this just got interesting’?

Ok lads – let’s start channeling that US America’s Cup team.