KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier selection:
Kiwican, Ron (Las Vegas, USA)
First up guys, you took race three to those wingers that keep complaining if they don't win. They had the exact same race time as the Black Boat but did not bargain on the ETNZ boys
John (Browns Bay)
Amazing. Very proud of them. They are the best in the world.
Mark (Auckland)
After reading the response from Alinghi team members it all sounds like sour grapes from them losing. I mean come on, it could have gone either way and the best team won, even despite us almost losing one of our guys overboard! And they still complain! Hey Ernesto! Stop complaining when your billions of dollars can't buy you a result! Heaven forbid you should lose we would have to call the Waaaaaaambulance!
Mike Chu
Sour grapes Alinghi! Team NZ had to contend with the same conditions plus their mishaps with sails, man overboard, and still won! Quit your griping and just get on with it.
Frank
Proof for Ernie that you can buy a lot of things (like a crew, for instance) but you can't buy character.
Nick
"It was the second race day in a row that the Alinghi camp had complained about the conditions for sailing."
*LOL* What? Because they've lost the last two? I don't recall Team NZ having a cry about the conditions in race one.
Waimate
Well done! One race at a time, too close to call. The bubbly is still in the shop.
Marion (Dunedin)
Your amazing victory almost surpassed our greatest hopes! You are an awesome unit - and should be extremely proud of your efforts. We certainly are. More excitement tonight please. Congratulations to all the NZ supporters. All the "real" NZ flags in the photos are so inspiring. They must be giving you a great feeling of support.
P.S. Brad is taking on a closer and closer resemblance to Denis Connor as the contest progresses. Both in appearance and in his utterings! Keep up the pressure!
Praveen
All we hear from the Alinghi camp when they lose is the conditions weren't ideal for racing or the wash from the spectator boats etc etc. Stop your whining! They weren't complaining about the conditions when they WON the first race, obviously windy and choppy conditions suits them and that's what these guys are after. It was a fantastic race and it's going to set up for a great finish! Alinghi can get "Cupped" if they are going to keep complaining!
Franola (Westside, Auckland)
Go the boys in red & black, bring on that auld mug back. Dig deep inside, show them the Kiwi pride.
Wherever you may go, Aotearoa is your home. All the best and my the angels watch over you all in this challenge for New Zealand.
Richards family (Queensland)
To Team New Zealand: all the best. We have enjoyed all your races win or lose. Kiwis all around the globe are supporting you, and even the Aussies are cheering for you. They say "he who laughs last,laughs the best" and we think you have got what it takes. We certainly will be blowing the wind up your sails from Queensland. Go Kiwis!
Vincent
You've just got to get super aggressive with these monkeys. Dalton needs to start getting aggro with Beterelli and that will cause him to lose his composure and thus mistakes will creep in the sailing.
Loretta (Nassau)
What a wonderful race, even my ten-year-old grad son let go of his laptop and his games to concentrate on you boys. Good luck for tomorrow. Good to see Mr Butter is losing his cool, getting a bit hot for him.
Mork
Tell Alinghi to "Get in Behind" and you guys just rattle your Dags! And she'll be right mate.
Canberra Kiwis
Hey team, we're so proud of you. Keep strong. We're with you in spirit. Go well.
Gilly
Go Team New Zealand and prove to the world that loyalty is worth more than money. We are so proud to be Kiwis as we watch you take on the Swiss, it is so wonderful to be a kiwi and win or loose you are showing the world what it means to be a loyal Kiwi. Looking good so far, good luck and may the winds blow fair for you!
FBI
We wish a good race for the Team New Zealand and my families pray for this race and we need to bring the Cup to NZ our homeland. We hope all of the guys have brave hearts and make sure all of New Zealand sees the racing. We need to welcome you back home. We love all of you boys.
Potsy (Christchurch)
Hey fellas, I have never followed boating ever, however, I watched you boys win that other cup, umm louie vaton& I dunno, but you know the one. I must say that Deano errrr, dunno his last name, but it's the driver for your whaka, Deano mate, for a young looking fella, ya cracked it. You're a steady hand, you don't appear to freak out. But without your boys, she's a hell of a paddle. Good stuff Team NZ, you boys deserve a Coco Cola. If you don't stretch those legs on that whaka, you won't know how fast she will go.
Wonderwoman (Palmerston North)
Mean TeamNZ Mean!
Lake Taupo
Wonderful to watch. Keep up the good effort. Our Team New Zealand Emirates flag proudly flying at Taupo. Best wishes to the sailing team and all the supporting onshore team members as well.
Rossco (Christchurch)
Hi guys, all I want to say is use your own intuition. I thought after the first race old Butterworth did a crafty and made you think the right hand side was the best, and what happened?
I'm glad you took the second and proud as punch, so go with your intuition and instinct that makes us Kiwis unpredictable.
Auckland
Well done!
The Oldies
In Germany - gr8t 2 watch daytime even tho commentary German - proud of you - will b with u every inch of races - best wishes 2 all team - you're great!
Mike
I reckon Alighi are just upset because they lost. Their boat is quicker in heavier winds so of course they will be complaining. Why don't they just put up with it and race.
Auckland NZ
Go the Kiwi's, you do us proud. Beat slippery Butterworth. Will see you in Valencia next week to cheer you all on. Well done.
Ren (Auckland)
Its a great day to be a Kiwi. Go Team NZ! Let's have a ticker tape parade when they bring the Auld Mug Home :D
Chris
Music: Black Magic Problem (to the tune of "Black Magic Woman")
I got a Black Magic problem
I got a Dean Barker problem
Yes, I got a Black magic problem
They're sailing so fast I can see
This is a Black Magic problem and they're
going to make a loser out of me.
Don't throw that tack on me, Kiwi
Don't throw that jibe on me, Kiwi
No, don't throw that tack on me, Kiwi
UBS spent every dime we can spend
Don't throw that tack on me, Kiwi, cause you
might just make us change the rules again
You got boat speed on me, Kiwi
You got boat speed on me, Kiwi
Yes, you got boat speed on me, Kiwi
I might as well just give it all up
You're pointing so high,
I can't ever give up that AC cup
I got a Black Magic problem
I got a Alinghi skipper choice problem,
Yes, I got a serious investment situation,
that only Duran Duran and my woman Kristy can see,
This is a Black Kiwi Magic problem and they're
going to make a loser out of me.
From the America's Cup (tm) Free Press. Revised a bit and updated for AC Valencia 2007 by Chris
Geneva, Switzerland .
Ed (Vermont)
Were I a kiwi, which I'm not though I'm the next best thing a Vermonter, I could not be happier. Well deserved, hard earned, and beautifully done.
Nick (Auckland)
Great race. The best part now is seeing the complaints and excuses from Alinghi.
Michael
Should the Swiss just take it? Yes. Did NZ complain when the first race was under rougher conditions than previously in this event at Valencia? No. Is Phipps complaining because he now fears he picked the wrong "NZ" team to sail with...yes.Go NZ you beauty - Bring it home boys!
Chuck bird
America's Cup Poor losers. I watched the whole race. Those Kiwis who jumped ship are true to form. I wonder what their excuse will be tomorrow. All the experts including ex America's Cup skippers and tacticians could not understand why Alinghi did not gybe and cover NZL92. If they had they almost certainly would have won the race. Alinghi's lose had little to do with luck or fluky wind. It had more to do with making more mistakes than NZL92.Maybe someone should ask Butterworth if he thought they might do better if the afterguard on Alinghi learned to work together as a team.
Andrew (Auckland)
It sounds to me that Alinghi cannot review their own performance dispassionately. By blaming the conditions (which are the same for both teams) they avoid the opportunity to review their own performance and learn and improve. Of course, this is only to Team New Zealand's advantage!
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