Peter Burling greets Team NZ fans. Photo/ William Booth / www.photosport.nz
Peter Burling greets Team NZ fans. Photo/ William Booth / www.photosport.nz
Planning is underway for a parade to celebrate the Tauranga homecoming of Team New Zealand's America's Cup winning helmsman Peter Burling.
Huge applause welcomed Burling as he walked into the arrivals hall at Auckland Airport today.
"To bring the Cup home has just blown us away," he told the hundredsof fans who turned out to give the team a rapturous welcome.
Tauranga City Council events manager Gareth Wallis told the Bay of Plenty Times that everyone was incredibly proud of how the team had performed, saying Burling had done his hometown proud.
"We would love to celebrate the amazing America's Cup win with Peter and Emirates Team New Zealand."
Mr Wallis said planning was underway for a homecoming parade in Tauranga, with the details and date of any celebration to be confirmed as soon as possible.
"We hope to welcome the team to Tauranga soon."
Team NZ chief Grant Dalton told the gathered crowd there was a lot of emotion and they were "so proud" to bring the Cup back to New Zealand.
"It's an overwhelming feeling of just pride," Dalton said.
Skipper Glenn Ashby added: "It's largely redemption for the whole team and for the whole country, from San Francisco."
Burling said they would enjoy having the Cup back home. "We're just enjoying this moment. When it's going well, it's going well."
Blair Tuke said it had been a lot of hard work to win the Cup. "We're just going to enjoy this - It's a heck of a milestone."
The crew was welcomed at the airport with a powhiri performed by members of Ngati Whatua.
Among the waiting families after four months apart were the son, daughter and partner of boatbuilder Peter Ockleston - Blake (11), Ashley (15) and Debbie Apanui. Blake was wearing his lucky red socks.
Apanui said: "When the boat went down I cried. But Pete would ring and say: "Don't worry, the boat's going to be fine."
Peter Burling with the America's Cup. Photo/ William Booth / www.photosport.nz
She said their son was six months old when they realised they had inadvertently given him a name that connected the family to sailing legend Sir Peter Blake.
Burling's parents Richard and Heather, who arrived home from Bermuda on Friday, were at the airport to pick up his bags.
When the Bay of Plenty Times caught up with them, they were putting Burling's bags into their car at the same time as the Team New Zealand's bus was departing for the team base.
Mrs Burling said the decision on whether there would be a parade in Tauranga was up to Team New Zealand. She did not expect an imminent decision because the team needed time to recover from jet lag.
"It's not something we have any control over."
She said the lovely thing about the team was how many were boys from provincial New Zealand.
Meanwhile, police have reminded those who planned to attend the welcome home parade today in downtown Auckland to allow plenty of time because large numbers were expected.
The parade was due to begin at 12.30pm on Queen St and finish at the Viaduct Harbour. The team would then take to the water and sail around the Viaduct Basin, North Wharf, Hobson Wharf, Princes Wharf and Queens Wharf.
Police said people heading to the parade should think about transport options in advance, consider using public transport, and ensure they allowed plenty of time for potential delays.
