KEY POINTS:
One of the best races in the history of the America's Cup is earning Team New Zealand new fans around the world - and the buzz of excitement at home has turned to belief.
More than 30,000 people have added their names to the creation of a virtual
waka, which Sport and Recreation NZ is planning to present to Team New Zealand after the regatta.
Sparc spokesman Ross Palmer said yesterday's dramatic win in the third race had prompted names to pour in from around the world.
Anyone who adds their name to the website will see it built into a virtual waka. Sparc has already given the Dean Barker-led team a traditional waka paddle engraved with hundreds of names from the website.
"This is an opportunity for Team New Zealand supporters worldwide to show their support for the boys," Mr Palmer said.
Team New Zealand's attempt to bring the Auld Mug home has been boosted by taking a 2-1 lead in the best-of-nine series. And the omens are good.
Since 1871, the team that has won the third race has gone on to win the cup.
And the nature of yesterday's nail-biting victory - described by many in the yachting world as the best America's Cup race in the event's 156-year history - has seen growing interest at home.
Hundreds have turned out at the America's Cup fan base at Auckland's Viaduct Harbour to watch the racing on a giant screen. Organiser Emily Flynn said despite the two-hour delay to the start, most people stayed to watch.
The Auckland City Council may expand the venue to cater for 3000 supporters.
"We're anticipating bigger crowds now - but I don't know if the nervous system can take another race like that."
The lead changed several times before the Kiwis crossed the line 25 seconds ahead of the Swiss syndicate.
The yachting correspondent of the New York Times'called it the race "sailing aficionados had been waiting decades for".
In light and shifty 7 knot to 9 knot winds, the seesawing battle provided a roller-coaster of emotions for sailors and spectators alike, as both crews established and then threw away big leads.
British yachting correspondent Bob Fisher, who has reported on every America's Cup since 1967, put it at No 2 in his list of all-time great races.
He said only the decider in the 1983 series ranked higher.
That was when the wing-keeled Australia 2 came from behind to beat the Dennis Conner-skippered Liberty to win 4-3 and to wrest the Auld Mug from the 132-year hold by the New York Yacht Club.
* additional reporting Chloe De Ridder
