Spithill: What we learned from Team New Zealand in America's Cup loss

Oracle Team USA skipper Jimmy Spithill answers questions during a press conference following his team's America's Cup loss to Emirates Team New Zealand. Photo / AP.

Jimmy Spithill has hinted he will be back when the 2021 America's Cup is contested in Auckland.

The Oracle skipper, who lost the cup to Team New Zealand in Bermuda in June, says in his latest book Chasing the Cup - My America's Cup journey that he'd like to be remembered for getting up off the canvas, not hitting it.

"I've just come off copping one of the biggest hidings of my life, but I ain't no feather duster."

He said Team New Zealand showed they were a champion team by coming back from the disappointment of San Francisco in 2013, when they blew an 8-1 lead to Oracle.

"Clearly, this is a champion team and you can do nothing but have an enormous amount of respect for them to have been able to regroup, keep fighting, get stronger and return to win in Bermuda."

Spithill said that regardless of the fact that Oracle were the defender, they still won the qualifiers and the Kiwis were runners-up.

"I don't think anyone could argue that both teams shouldn't have been in the America's Cup match.

"But again, I use the armchair critics as motivation, just like I did back when I was bullied as a kid and people questioned us at Young Australia."

Reflecting on the cup campaign he said he had found himself thinking about the mistakes made to "learn and get stronger".

"The process goes on for some time but it is important, personally and as a group. I still believe more than ever that defeat is nothing but education.

"Ultimately we were too conservative in a lot of areas, and as skipper, I take full responsibility.

"At the end of the day, as Larry [Ellison, team owner] told me following the AC72 capsize: 'Champions and champion teams always come back'."

Win or lose Oracle was a tight-knit team to the end, Spithill said.

After the final race, the team decided as a mark of respect to Team New Zealand they should take their chase boat to the Kiwi base and share a beer with the victors.

"So I rang Glenn Ashby, who picked up straight away. 'Hey mate, we want to come and share a beer with you guys as a mark of respect,' I said. He said: 'Absolutely mate, I will be waiting on the dock for you blokes.'

"I remember from my rugby days after playing a tough game or final, having won or lost, you would always go into the other team's locker room or have them in yours to share a few beers and laughs.

"It's one of the things I love about sport - you try and kill each other on the field of play or in a boxing ring, yet moments afterward have your arm around the shoulder of your opponent, usually having swapped jerseys, enjoying a cold one or reflecting on the battle.

"Unfortunately, I hadn't seen this much in the America's Cup and it felt good to share a few beers and laughs with the Kiwis at their base."

Spithill said his team stayed for a couple of drinks but then wanted to leave them with their supporters and families to really savour their moment.

"We also wanted to get back to ours.

"As we walked down their dock and into our chase boat the Kiwi supporters came down and clapped us off.

"It was something we all appreciated and that I will remember. They were a class act."

The feisty Australian said he found it amusing that some sailing media were questioning whether he may be finished at 38.

"Personally, I've never judged someone when it comes to age, how they appear or where they come from.

"I've always hired people on the basis of their talent, work ethic and ability to put the team before themselves."