America's Cup: Disheartened fans at Shed 10

The crowd at Shed 10. Photo / Greg Bowker

Disheartened sailing fans left Shed 10 on Auckland's waterfront before Oracle Team USA had even crossed the finish line in Race 16 of the America's Cup today.

However, the loyal majority stayed and watched Emirates Team New Zealand suffer another crushing defeat as it crossed the finish line 33 seconds behind the American boat.

Denise Moore and Tania Sim were in Auckland from Oamaru to catch the Wicked musical, and headed down to Shed 10 to watch the race.

The race was "gutting" Ms Moore said. "We really want to see them win."

The women said they were getting a little sick of how long this year's America's Cup match was taking, however they were planning returning to Shed 10 to watch the racing again tomorrow.

"It's only one race, but that one race seems so far away," Ms Sim said.

Will Cobb said today's race was "disappointing", but "still close".

Mr Cobb had been loyally watching every race from Shed 10 and had missed eight university lectures to do so.

Alice Harford said she was not yet sick of how long the match was dragging out, but thought she may be in a day or two.

Before the race started, the crowd sat apprehensively watching what is now the longest ever America's Cup regatta.

The crowd erupted into cheers as the Emirates Team New Zealand boat approached the start line. However, those cheers turned into awkward grimaces as Oracle Team USA immediately pulled ahead.

Architect Julian Mitchell, 44, said he had been going down to Shed 10 every weekday the race was on, and had been making up the time he was taking off work at the end of the day. I'm starting to get a bit of America's Cup fatigue, Mr Mitchell said.

"I think we're running out of chances."

With Mr Mitchell was his mother Jude Lowry, who was celebrating her birthday with hopes of witnessing a Cup win.

"I never thought it would grip me [this much], but it has.

"It really gets under your skin."