9 The America's Cup - breaking tradition

The Auld Mug is commonly referred to as the world's oldest sporting trophy and it represents a competition that has been filled with protest.

But yachting, New Zealand, the world weren't prepared for the sort that occurred in 1997, when a loony with a grudge and a sledgehammer walked into the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and gave the trophy a right smashing.

Famous trophies have been subjected to all sorts of things over the years - some of which cannot be repeated in this family newspaper. But it's doubtful if one has ever been beaten up like this.

Months of painstaking work by the original makers in London - it was crafted in 1848 - put the cup back together again. No wonder America was so reluctant to let anyone else get hold of the America's Cup when it gets looked after like that.