Hundreds of Emirates Team NZ fans braved a cold Tauranga morning yesterday to watch ''history in the making''.
They came in red socks and red hats. They came with deck chairs and red rugs. They came with sleeping bags and flags. Some came in pyjamas and dressing gowns.
Young and old, they came.
And when the big screen coverage showed Team NZ hammering Team USA they cheered for local sailing hero Peter Burling who steered his crew to victory.
Stuart Davey told the Bay of Plenty Times they ''have got their mana back now aye, after 2013, we rise again''.
Fellow fan Mark Sheaff was less diplomatic and said ''I thought it was a great thing just to stick it up Spithill and get one back on them''.
Kaaren Davey preferred to focus on the team's top-notch sailing skills.
''I thought the Kiwi guys did a fabulous job. They really showed the rest of the world how their sailing skills are just amazing.
''Their innovation with the pedalling and the cyclists were incredible.''
Ray Mayos liked the big screen set-up and congratulated the Tauranga City Council.
''This is great for starters ... the big screen is fantastic to bring people together to celebrate, it's fantastic and good on you Peter.''
Monique Lints had travelled from Te Puke with her three young sons to ''watch history in the making''.
''I'm so glad the cup is coming home - that is the reason we got up this morning so my boys could see it. It's absolutely awesome.''
Katie Jones wiped back tears and said ''it is so exciting and bigger than we can imagine''.
She referred to ''Peter the piston'' and said ''they are such a young team, I am so proud of them''.
Her sister Suzie Edmonds, draped in the New Zealand flag and wearing a red, yellow and green crocheted hat, said they were ''the Bahama Mamas'' and had been at the waterfront for every cup screening.
Tauranga City Council events manager Gareth Wallis said it had has received very positive feedback about the fan zone at the CBD waterfront and the big screen that has been in place for the past few days.
''Over 400 people attended a live screening of the All Blacks v The British & Irish Lions test match on Saturday night, and another 300 people were up at 5am this morning to watch Emirates Team New Zealand win the America's Cup.''
''We're incredibly proud of how the whole team performed and in particular, Peter Burling has done his hometown of Tauranga very proud.''
The second and third tests between the All Blacks v The British & Irish Lions would also be screened live on the big screen from 6.30pm on Saturday, July 1 and Saturday, July 8.
The cost of the big screen for all three test matches and all of the America's Cup races was about $15,000.