Jim Eagles: Goodbye Cup, and thanks for everything

Thank goodness. The long agony is over, the inevitable has happened, and we can get on with life without the America's Cup.

It's been fabulous while it lasted. We've enjoyed some wonderful moments of success, celebration and national pride.

It was even great at the weekend, when the boats headed out for the final act, and once again people lined the coast to demonstrate their support for Team New Zealand.

Down on our beach, one family had scraped a huge Loyal in the sand, kids waved their little black flags, we wore our black shirts and a big handpainted sign supported our neighbour, Bertrand Pace, the Frenchman who was part of the Black Boats afterguard for the final races.

It was good fun as the locals showed they can be as loyal in the dark times as in the bright.

The flotilla of spectator boats was not as impressive as it was for the first race, but it still made for a magnificent spectacle set against the sparkling waters of the Hauraki Gulf and the familiar shape of Rangitoto.

Having the America's Cup has given New Zealand a marvellous platform from which to display what it has to offer, especially our marine and tourist industries, to an international audience.

The Viaduct Harbour has been turned from a slum to an enduring showplace, new restaurants, bars and shops have opened and the city has become more vibrant and cosmopolitan.

It provided a crucial economic boost at a time when the global economy was in a downturn, created lots of jobs and gave Auckland in particular a huge lift in confidence.

The cup was never going to stay here forever, but a lot of its benefits will be long-lasting.

Rather than mourning its departure, we should rejoice in the fact that we achieved what in 150 years of competition no other nation had done. We won the cup from the United States and then defended it.

There are only two regrets. First, that Team New Zealand didn't show its full potential and give us more contests like race two, the sort of thriller that it almost didn't matter who won.

Second, the story seems to have been spread overseas that New Zealanders are a bunch of bad losers.

Sure, we don't like to lose, who does? But we knew a better team was going to come along one day.

I don't think there is a nation in the world that would accept with complete equanimity the sight of its own champions turning out in the colours of another country, and taking a prized trophy away with them.

But, in the circumstances, and apart from the few nutters you find in every land, we've reacted well.

There's a myth, mostly promulgated by people with no interest in sport, that after major defeats, like the rugby World Cup semi-final loss against France, Kiwis plunge into a collective gloom.

That has not been my experience.

Those who enjoy sport know better than anyone that you can't win all the time. When defeat comes it is unwelcome, but it is also recognised as inevitable, part of the process of getting stronger and learning to deal with the ups and downs of life.

After a brief period of disappointment, especially if your team hasn't performed to its potential or it was a shocking game, you get on with life and plan to do better next time.

So it's so long America's Cup, it's been terrific, but now it's someone else's turn to enjoy your favours, and I'm not as sorry as I expected to see you go.

And so long Alinghi. I can't say we warmed to you the way we did to Prada last time. If I'm honest, I'd be much happier if it was them taking the cup, but you were the superior team and deserved to win.

Now, what are our chances now we've made the top six in the cricket World Cup? Isn't that an entertaining Auckland Theatre Company production of The Graduate? Look how well the Blues are going in the Super 12? Is the tide high enough for a swim? Or should I take the little dinghy out for a sail?

Further reading: nzherald.co.nz/americascup