Photo gallery: Kiwi fans in Valencia
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Kiwi fans in Valencia have been given a very mixed report card from fellow fans at the America's Cup.
In emails from Valencia to nzherald.co.nz, some said they were ashamed of the behaviour of New Zealanders, while others said the Kiwis are adding to the colour of the
event.
The issue has arisen after Alinghi syndicate head Ernesto Bertarelli accused Team new Zealand supporters of souring the regatta by abusing Kiwi members of his syndicate.
Bertarelli's remarks in the New York Times were a reminder of the depth of feeling which existed at the 2003 regatta in Auckland when bitter criticism was directed at the New Zealand sailors who left Team New Zealand for Alinghi.
"The aggression toward our Kiwis, I mean, it's seven years now," Bertarelli said. "Let it be. Let it go."
To gauge the level of feeling, we asked New Zealand fans in Valencia to file their take.
Some said Alinghi was simply getting far less crowd support than Team New Zealand and that Bertarelli was engaging in gamesmanship.
But others said New Zealanders were abusing Alinghi, its team and supporters.
One New Zealander, who identified himself only as Mark, has been in Valencia for the past three months and said he enjoyed the atmosphere until "loads of drunken Kiwis" turned up for the Louis Vuitton finals. He said they chanted "4-nil" outside the Luna Rossa base before the final race and there is growing embarrassment at some of the New Zealand behaviour.
Another fan, Tim Smyth, wrote: "The behaviour of kiwi fans in Valencia does make me ashamed to be from NZ. Many are drunk by early evening and Spanish friends of mine have seen them vomiting in the streets. Insults were often hurled at Alinghi and Oracle as their boats pass through the narrow canal and on occasion empty cans and fruit have been thrown also."
An American in Spain for the Cup wrote to us that the Kiwi fans are turning the mood ugly. "Elizabeth" wrote: "We have been out on spectator boats with our small children and because we support Alinghi, we have been unrelentingly booed and jeered by Emirate fans.
"Unsportsmanlike Kiwis (aside from those on the Emirates Team NZ) abound here in Valencia. They scream into the Alinghi base, they boo and yell "traitors" every time the Alinghi yachts leave the harbour, they have disrupted families cheering for Luna Rossa yelling "Why bother? They are gonna lose anyway!"
"It is over the line of being competitive and has become mean spirited."
Another New Zealander living in Valencia for four years described the Kiwis as being "rude, abusive and can't handle the cheap alcohol and late closing hours. NZ shameful binge drinking heritage is being shown to the world over here."
But others believed that the atmosphere was good and that New Zealanders are being treated well and treating people well in return.
Lauren, a New Zealand exchange student, said the atmosphere was good and pointed out that Emirates Team New Zealand has a good cadre of supporters "because we New Zealanders are like that".
Another Kiwi, Vicki, said she had witnessed no acts of bad behaviour and was warmly welcomed in Valencia.
"Everywhere I went with my inflatable Kiwi I was welcomed and often approached to talk about New Zealand and what a spectacular place I was so lucky to be from."
Huia Burt said there was a good atmosphere among the "small but vocal group of Kiwi fans".
"I spent time both at the big screen in the village and out on the water and didn't hear one insult towards the Alinghi sailors."
Another New Zealander pointed out that Alinghi is simply getting far less crowd support than Team New Zealand.
"After just getting back from Valencia I would say he (Bertarelli) is just worried about how much awesome support Team NZ has over there compared to what the Swiss boat is going to get," said Ringo.
"It would be a pretty dull atmosphere there without us!"
- NZ HERALD STAFF
