Bermuda Shorts: Heartbreak healed as billionaire foiled

Peter Burling sprays champagne as Emirates Team NZ wins the America's Cup 2017. Photo / Photosport

As the great sailing commentator Peter Montgomery might say " "Bermudaful!"

The oldest trophy in world sport is headed back to New Zealand after Emirates Team New Zealand completed a 7-1 victory on the water off Bermuda.

The comprehensive win over billionaire Larry Ellison's Oracle Team USA goes some way to making up for the heart-break the team suffered four years ago in San Francisco.

Oracle skipper James Spithill was gracious in defeat and the Kiwis classy in victory. Well almost. Chief executive Grant Dalton couldn't help but have a little dig at Spithill.

Italian outfit Luna Rossa will be the challenger of record at the next regatta " likely to be 2021 in Auckland.

Team NZ leave Bermuda for the United Arab Emirates where they will meet their sponsors before heading home. They are due in Auckland next Wednesday.

Quotes of the Day

"To be able to come here to Bermuda and be part of an incredibly special team and bring that trophy back home is something I will remember for the rest of my life."

Emirates Team New Zealand helmsman Peter Burling.

"He's had to take on a lot extra outside of the sailing and he has done a bloody good job of that."

Blair Tuke on team-mate Burling.

"What an incredible team. They really were a class above for this America's Cup. They out-sailed us, they had a great boat and all we can do is take our hats off and congratulate them."

Oracle skipper James Spithill.

"Frankly I couldn't care less about Spithill to tell you the truth. He was quite keen to get me ousted and probably has a good reason now."

Team NZ boss Grant Dalton.

Tweets of the Day

@americascup "The oldest trophy in international sport has been officially handed over to @EmiratesTeamNZ! Kiwi fans in the crowd go wild. #AmericasCup"

@russellcrowe "New Zealand sail away with the America's Cup. Congratulations."

@ValerieAdams84 "Congratulations @EmiratesTeamNZ. NZ is so very proud. #bringthecuphome #kiwipride"

Sailing term

Voyage. A passage of some duration; as in: Our voyage from Bermuda to Auckland lasted several days.