Kiwis at the Cup: McAsey/Easterbrook family

Sandra Easterbrook and Brenda, Suzy, Brooke and Billie McAsey (in pushchair) at Marina Green.

The Herald bumped into the family of Team New Zealand grinder Chris McAsey watching the racing yesterday. McAsey's wife Suzy, children Brooke and Billie, mother Brenda and mother-in-law Sandra Easterbrook cheered on as Team NZ took a 4-1 lead over Luna Rossa.

Q: What brings you along to watch the racing?

Sandra: My son-in-law Chris [McAsey] sails on Team NZ. We're all here supporting him. I've become a very enthusiastic follower and have been sending reports and photos back home to the Northern Advocate in Whangarei.

Q: Were you pleased to finally see two races?

Suzy: Oh definitely. It feels like it has been such a long, drawn-out affair - it sort of consumes you. So it was very exciting to see them get through two races today and do so well.

Q: The boats are on the edge at times. Do you get nervous watching them out there?

Suzy: It was pretty stressful watching this week after they nosedived - that got the heart-rate going a wee bit.

Q: Have you been down here at Marina Green every day or have you been watching the racing from different vantage points?

Suzy: We've tried to get around the place and watch it from different spots. We are lucky with our apartment - it is on the 11th floor so we get a perfect view of it all and can have the computers set up as well.

Brenda: The best place to watch it is on TV - you get a much better view. I choke up a little whenever I see my boy, I'm just so proud.

Q: Are you staying on for the America's Cup as well?

Brenda: We're not billionaires! No, we're flying home on Saturday. I think Chris will probably want us out of his hair; he'll probably be a bit uptight about things.

Q: So you'll be hoping Team NZ wrap this thing up on Saturday?

Suzy: Yes, that's the plan. We'd like to be here to see them lift the trophy and be here for that excitement. Hopefully the weather helps us out there.