Nervous fan hoping today's the day

Philippe Stassen, of Tauranga, is showing his support for Team New Zealand. Photo / John Borren

Philippe Stassen likes showing his support for Team New Zealand.

The Tauranga man has been at the Yacht and Powerboat Club every day for the past week watching the America's Cup races on the big screen, hoping to see Team New Zealand take the title.

Each day Mr Stassen has been wearing red items of clothing in the hope it will bring luck.

Mr Stassen loves water activities including sailing, surfing and windsurfing but said he had been hooked on the America's Cup action.

Yesterday the score was 8-6 to Team New Zealand. The winner of the tournament is the first team to win nine races.

After yesterday's races, Mr Stassen said there was a lot of anxiety surrounding the regatta.

"For Oracle this could be the greatest comeback in sporting history, but I don't believe it will be.

"The longer we draw it out the more painful it will be for Oracle when we win," he said.

Dean Barker and the team needed to be more aggressive to match the racing style of Oracle, Mr Stassen said.

"We need to be a bit more brash. We have also had quite a bit of bad luck."

He said he was pinning his hopes on today's races.

Anita Moran