The America's Cup war of words is heating up with Team New Zealand skipper Peter Burling stoking the fire with a swipe at Oracle opposite Jimmy Spithill.
In the final countdown to tomorrow morning's start of the America's Cup final series, Kiwi cup rookie Burling has given wily old Oraclecounterpart a taste of his own medicine.
Australian Spithill, 37, whose verbal gamesmanship has earned him a rogue reputation in New Zealand, has been given a reminder of the fact he's not representing his nation of birth.
Paying tribute to the fantastic support of Kiwis back home while the team are in Bermuda, young Burling has described his pride in racing for all New Zealanders and his passion for the nation where he loves living.
"To be here sailing for that country and with them behind us, it just gives us extra motivation to be pushing forward," Fairfax reported Burling saying.
It's the first time Burling - the extremely talented 26-year-old Olympic champion who has a chance to win his first America's Cup campaign - has engaged Spithill in the Australians' trademark verbal sparring.
The Australian, who spends much of his time in the United States and races for Oracle Team USA which is owned by billionaire Larry Ellison, has been doing his best to play mind games with Team New Zealand in the run-up to the finals series.
Peter Burling, helmsman for Team New Zealand, left, shakes hands with Oracle skipper and helmsman Jimmy Spithill in front of the America's Cup. Photo / file
He recently posted a cartoon on social media of an American eagle swooping in on a Kiwi riding a bike - a reference to Team New Zealand's revolutionary grinding development for this year's boat.
