KEY POINTS:
Glors
Congratulations to Alinghi crew and supporters, yes, they appeared to out-sail Emirates Team New Zealand but what a fantastic series - thoroughly enjoyed watching/listening to every race. Very disappointed that ETNZ failed to win back the 'old mug' but very proud of Dean Barker and
Fleur (Hamilton)
I feel such a mix of enormous pride and wrenching sadness. Thank you ETNZ for providing so many months of entertainment and excitement, you did a wonderful job of giving the Swiss a run for their billions. NZ tax-payers money (mine included) well invested. Can't wait to do it all again with you. Aroha nui.
Bubbles1995
Oh my God...what a heartbreaker race 7 was! Fantastic nightime watching! It was the best!
My heart is aching soo much for you - you are the best sports team in the world! Unbelievable fight on the finish line last night. We all admire your "never die attitude". New Zealand and all the Kiwis in the world are proud of having such an incredibly spirited fantastic tough yachting team! So proud of you :) Also very pleased that the Labour government believes in you too! Fight for the AC again next time round - you can do it!
Kyle (Palmerston North)
E Team NZ was fantastic all the way though. I really think they could have won the cup back with a few better calls and luck. It is fantastic to see the determination and attitude of Grant Dalton. The man doesn't like to come second and is honest about it. More of that attitude is needed in all NZ sports. I was impressed with Dean Barker, he has showed he has the ability to be world class. Maybe he needs to be a bit more ruthless when he has the opposition on the ropes and put them away. I hope that we have another opportunity to challenge for the cup (with the same or similar team) as experience is a great teacher. It is hard not to be impressed with Brad Butterworth's (and all the Kiwis) sailing ability. His record is amazing, it's great to see that Kiwi's are at the top of this sport. Well done Team NZ
Brad
Yes Alingi was better - not by much but better. A miss is as good as a mile. We did well and should not be too upset. Yes of course we should try again. We are a nation that is proud of its sporting heritage.. a nation that knows a loss is only a loss or two away from a win.
Graeme (Auckland)
Re: Ernesto's quote "I think I was a bit naive in 2003 when I won." - Seems to be a lot of "I's" in Alinghi.
Daniel (Auckland)
Team New Zealand did a great job and as many have said they having nothing to be ashamed of and everything to be proud of. There has to be a winner and unfortunately Alinghi raced the better race. Congratulations to all competitors.
To Blair from London/Hamilton:
You wish you were Australian? You don't deserve to call yourself a kiwi after those comments.
Jon
I was in Valencia to watch the racing, and thought that Valencia was a terrible place. The Spaniards make no effort, I would describe their attitude towards the cup as nonexistent. I think the Swiss need to race off Lagos, Portugal, at least the local population there, are educated, and friendly.
John C
I believe that the best boat and crew won the America's Cup, but oh boy, how close it was. The NZ Govt should financially support another challenge on the basis that:
1) It is almost a no cost option as the initial funding is more or less repaid by payroll tax and GST receipts;
2) It maintains the intellectual property and provides the R&D opportunities within NZ; and
3) What a wonderful advertisement on the global stage of New Zealand and its capabilities. It says: "For a small and remote country, what great skills and personalities you all have".
Emphatically, let's have another go.
Jim
Should not have messed with the mystique of the 'WAKA'. Brought in bad vibes. Also with Hubbard and the like counting their chickens, again bad vibes and mojo for the team. It all went bad since dissing the Maori 'spiritual mystique'. I knew we weren't gonna win after that. Next time you should do it 'right'.
Wim smit
To start with, Alinghi did not win by two seconds but won with 5-2. In two cups 10-2, so New Zealand was trashed. I hate to see so much taxpayer money spend on the happy few and on the appallingly undertaxed riches of New Zealand. To fund sports is very fine but give it to the people who would benefit from that.
Sailing would enhance a positive profile of New Zealand in the rest of the world. Of course, but there are better ways to do so. I would say New Zealand is more known in the world for its child abuse than for the sailing. Enhancing the lives of those children would have more impact on the positive views of the world towards New Zealand. Now everybody is questioning why a poor and in a lot of aspects a third world country like New Zealand is overspending on rich mans games and on a cup unknown to the vast majority of the world.
Chris
In regards to Robert Hughes views, get a life, crawl out from the little rock you are living under and get into the real world. No one pressured you into watching or following the America's Cup so why bother adding pathetic comments on this forum. If it wasn't for the millions of dollars the overseas sponsors put into the NZ challenge we wouldn't be racing on the world stage (no NZ company can afford to sponsor a race like this) and as for the money the NZ govt put towards the ETNZ challenge I would expect NZ will benefit for years to come just from the world wide publicity from this America's Cup. All New Zealanders should be proud of ETNZ efforts in Valencia, even though they have not brought the America's Cup home they have proven that we can fight against the billion dollar backed challenges and we should be there again next time. Good Stuff to all the ETNZ crew!
Brian Mac (Auckland)
Alinghi did not win the Cup because either their crew or boat was better. They were lucky. It could just as easily have gone the other way. Regardless of the fact that in the end they didn't quite manage to lift the cup, we are still extremely proud of our boys. After 2003, we were all I suppose a bit nervous about whether we could mount a credible challenge so far from home. Well, we won the Louis Vuitton, and gave Alinghi a good run for their considerably larger pile of money. All ghosts of '03 are well and truly exorcised, and our team deserve a hero's welcome home.
Rob (Australia)
Thank goodness it's over for another few years. I'm glad NZ lost actually and that the best team won. Living now in Australia I was so embarrassed to hear the unsportsmanlike rubbish spouted by the media and certain NZ fans. Anyone would think Team NZ were the only ones competing. Rubbish about someone possibly shooting the team NZ spinnaker and throat slitting antics. Who cares, the better team won they were going to all along. Their boat was better and they sailed better. No excuses full stop. Mr Barker has had a good go. Time to give the job to someone else I recon. Sure he can sell his story to Woman's Day and I'm sure he treats his mum well but at the end of the day no one really cares hey. He can get another job. It's not like he is going to be in the poor house. I don't know why we adulate these people, If you want to see a real role model look to the brave and humble SAS corporal who received a Victoria Cross. This act should receive way more media then this hyped up so called sport for rich little boys and girls called the America's Cup. Rich little socialites competing for media attention over a sport that very few NZers can relate to. Thank goodness its over and please have some dignity in the aftermath and don't start digging up dirt over alleged unsportsmanlike behaviour by the victors.
Auckland
Great effort Team NZ. The government and whole country should keep supporting this team and invest more to keep and attract more key members into the team. This team not only contribute financially to the county but most importantly gather the whole nation together and make us feel proud in the world. I am a Chinese and I know the Chinese community are very enjoying the event and we want to support in the future. I am not happy for the kiwis in the winning team which I thought they should put the nation first not their own pocket. Maybe I am wrong but it's my true feeling. Those guys hurt us a lot and also for NZ people. On the other hand we should do something to let all the top members join Team NZ. Always the country first.
Walter (Kaikoura)
It must be terrible as a nation where parents, instructors and clubs spending so much enthusiasm, time and money for years to help juniors to become the greatest sailors in the world to lose the America's Cup to a country/syndicate, where sailing hardly exists and is a minor sport only. It is the biggest tragedy in teamsport ever experienced. To me as a Swiss living here in New Zealand for 17 years it looks like Switzerland just lost the Nationcup in skiing to Saudi Arabia and how wrong is that? The rules must be changed. Syndicate's should not be allowed to sail under a national flag.- and why did TENZ not sail closer to the finish line for the penalty turn?
Henry Family (Auckland)
Emirates Team New Zealand - you had courage, passion, dignity and grace under pressure. You are absolutely brilliant and gave us many hours of fantastic viewing. Heads, hearts and shoulders high guys. You are Team # 1 for us.
Tamara (Auckland)
I am endlessly disappointed (yet sadly unsurprised) at the negative attitude of many New Zealanders towards an unsuccessful team. I suppose now we must do our usual round of recriminations and firings. Who first, Dean Barker, Grant Dalton? And of course if we lose the Rugby World Cup this year, I'm guessing Graham Henry and Richie McCaw must go? Please! We do so well at international level for such a small country and we can't possibly win everything every time. Well done Team NZ, next time we'll take it! Also, I'm sorry, John the Ausi, Australia came where again...? I must have missed them :)
Valenzia
Lets face it, NZ DID win. Kiwis were the major force in Alinghi winning. Let's hope a new generation get off the PlayStations and get on the harbour and learn to sail.
Gail
Congratulations to both teams. Alinghi were the better team and deserved to win. Emirates Team NZ, you made us very proud. Unfortunately luck just didn't go your way. Team NZ should challenge for the next cup. This has been the most exciting regatta, for someone who is not into Yachting it sure made me sit up and watch. They proved they are good enough to win it. Bring on the next cup. Yachting is in New Zealanders blood. Just as rugby. But please could someone shed light on Kiwi's racing (yachting) for other countries when they have represented their own country in the sport? Is the America's Cup the "World Cup of Yachting" therefore you represent your country and not another? So New Zealand won. The Swiss would have never done it with out us Kiwis.
Chunky Charlie
Well, it was a lot of hard work and money to lose like that. We were out-designed and out-sailed by the slimmest of margins. A very respectable effort but no cup to hoist. I fear the next cup will be won by Oracle with Coutts at the helm. Larry doesn't quit. Should we risk such enormous resources to "attempt" to make the finals? What the heck, it's in our blood to sail. Whether some of us realize it or not, we as a nation are the best sailors on the planet! I'm for strict nationality rules and everyone sailing the same boat design. That'll weed out the pseudo sailors who win with the help of New Zealanders! Congratulations to both teams.
Luke Mason
The team with the most money did.
Bev Marton
I am disgusted at the decision by Government to give $10 million to Team New Zealand when there are New Zealanders who can't get necessary surgery and elderly who can't get home help which they should be entitled to.
Farcical Cup
In spite of learning again and again in their brilliant Louis Vuitton races that the right was favoured, and having the same lesson taught them beat after beat, race after race, by Alinghi, Team New Zealand, as if it had a death-wish, kept fighting for the left. In their weather-calls and tactics they were sailing against themselves as well as Alinghi. So they handed the Cup to Butterworth etc. Now the Cup will be won by whoever writes the biggest cheque for Coutts, Butterworth etc. Oracle, next time. So it will go on, time after time, till that lot are in their walking-frames. Only then will we all be able to get back to 'friendly competition between nations' as the Deed of Gift says.
Rob Waardenburg
Team NZ can be immensely proud of their efforts. They won the Luis Vuitton in style with a 5-0 Victory and in the America's Cup they have shown that they were every bit as good as Alinghi tactically. In the last two races they've shown that their upwind and downwind speed could match Alinghi though perhaps each boat performed slightly better in certain conditions. Perhaps Alinghis spinnakers were made stronger but in the end Team NZ gave Alinghi stiff competition and gave us, the viewers, the best and closest raced America's Cup that I can remember. Hold your heads high Team NZ. You did well and against a team dominated at the core by other top NZ yachtsman. And it's never easy to beat your own kind especially when they're backed by all that money and technology can buy. Well done Grant Dalton and team!
Craig Van Dongen
I think the best tactical team won. Don't want to knock our team as Team NZ did extremely well and deserve a pat on the back. Very professional. The only blemish is why oh why did they not follow the number one rule and that is cover when you are in front? Time and time again they took the left side and let Alinghi go right - no problem but go over and cover them. They let two races go like that and just let the last follow the same course. However - well done guys and you do deserve some credit where it is due. Just not funny losing to Butterworth that is all!
Maja
Go Dean Barker! We were definitely the better team here! More heart! I'm so proud of our boys! Go Team New Zealand.
Robyn Paterson
Team NZ are fantastic! We are so proud of them all. Great ambassadors. They showed what wonderful people most kiwis are. The kiwis on Alinghi must feel very ashamed of their kiwi heritage. They would never be welcome in my home. Our team was just wonderful.
Judy (Taranaki)
Team New Zealand, you might not have won but boy you put on a exciting race to watch, I think the best team lost better luck next time.
Ffred
The best team won! Crap. The winner had more luck than Grant Dalton and those magnificent sailors on Team New Zealand. And I'm surprised Butterworth has the nerve to show his face in New Zealand again.
Mark (Orewa)
Deep down Butterworth will know himself for what he is - a traitor. It will be a shallow victory for him. I hope he never returns to this country.
Buckiwi
Do you think now that it is time for some of those so called kiwis to get some national pride and swallow their ego sand sail for one team. To supply 4 complete teams in a 16 team race seems a little silly.
Dorothy
Why is it that the gov is spending so much on just a race? Why not spend it on healthcare, roads and other important things that affect all New Zealanders than just a handful of already rich people? We have disabled people waiting for places to live, we have so little money allocated for real people in need and we're just throwing $10m into another sport which is starting to be a waste of time. Don't get me wrong, Team NZ is the pride of NZ and I feel that too and their achievements are awesome but it's time we step back and really look into what New Zealanders really need before we get into extravagant spending on unnecessary things.
Mi (Auckland)
Unlucky Team NZ, from day one of the final you were up against it, against a man that would at all cost try to keep the cup in Europe. At least we aren't sore losers, even though I might sound like it, which I am not. But from day one we have raced with dignity and pride, unlike Ernesto Bertarelli who continuously moaned about everything. Even the experts said Alinghi should of had that race taken off them when sending a man up the mast, just ask Chris Dickson. Then today's penalty which the commentators said was 50/50 and even the finish line without hesitation went Alinghi's way. We were up against the rich boys from Europe. Well done Team NZ you did us proud, with half the budget and using mostly NZ sailors and went along way and nearly did it. I hope one day we or for that matter any other team can beat Ernesto, so we can all watch him throw he's toys from his fibreglass pram. He certainly wasn't a gentlemen or a good loser, not once has he complimented NZ or even mentioned NZ. The America's Cup is now not as enjoyable to watch since Ernesto got his dirty mitts onto it. Having total control on what the media can say or show on TV is a joke and their seamed to be a couple of dirty tricks happening in the background.
Andrew Atkin
It really could have gone either way. It was good sailing, but overall good luck for Alingi too. No one can say that Team NZ was not competitive.
Andrew
So we have 10 million to spend on a conglomerate of private organisations who like boat racing but we don't have any money to help the Christchurch foodbank out? I know where I would rather see my taxes go.
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