Sourced Content
Auckland, March 18, 2021
Team New Zealand has successfully defended the America’s Cup on home waters.
The Kiwi syndicate wrapped up a 7-3 series win over Luna Rossa with a 46 second victory in race 10 of the regatta on Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf on Wednesday, March 17, 2021.
Messages from far and wide
Team New Zealand Helmsman Peter Burling said on board Te Rehutai that “It was absolutely unreal” and that coming back to the chase boat and seeing all the people involved how many Kiwis were supporting the event.
“We have had messages from everyone from the Prime Minister to high school children to just about anyone you could think of with support and it just means the world to us as a team. I don’t think you could have a more special environment than this with over couple of thousand boats out every day, the village absolutely packed, people everywhere, to do something like this on home water is something that makes the whole team incredibly proud,” he said.
How it was won
After securing the favoured right-hand side of the course in another tight battle off the start line, Team New Zealand got Te Rehutai’s nose in front to go through the first gate with a narrow seven-second lead.
That buffer was out to nine seconds after leg two, but it was the third of six legs when the defenders really extended to put one hand on the Cup again.
Team New Zealand powered downwind to be 27 seconds in front at the halfway mark of the race and, with a 37 second lead at gate number four, all that was required was two mistake-free legs to secure the series.
That was exactly what they produced, keeping things calm and composed in the last push to the finish before the celebrations finally broke out as they crossed the line.
Fantastic Experience: Francesco Bruni
Despite Luna Rossa’s challenge proving unsuccessful, Co-Helmsman Francesco Bruni said it had been a fantastic experience.
“I would firstly like to congratulate Team New Zealand, they have done a fantastic job. But I also need to congratulate with Luna Rossa, they are a fantastic team, we proved to the world that we could do it and it has been hard luck in the last couple of days, but I think that we have done a great job as a team,” he said.
As he sat on the side of Te Rehutai soaking it all in, Team New Zealand flight controller Blair Tuke said the moment was hard to describe.
“Yeah, wow, what a beauty. Unreal. Defending the America’s Cup on home waters, out here on the Hauraki Gulf. Unbelievable feeling to know that the work that has gone in from so many people over the last three and half years, and even right back to before we won it in Bermuda. It has been huge from the team, and a massive honour to race here in front of five million Kiwis. To know we have had their support … what scenes, unbelievable,” he said.
Jimmy Spithill: Grace in defeat
The other man steering Luna Rossa had been Team New Zealand’s nemesis from San Francisco in 2013, Jimmy Spithill.
As he was after then being beaten aboard Oracle in Bermuda, though, the no-nonsense Australian was gracious in defeat. Luna Rossa is an incredible team, and really the whole campaign. It has been an absolutely relentless campaign and just to see the passion, the emotion and the work ethic the Italians portray, (it) has definitely been one of the most amazing and campaigns in that regard for me. Obviously full credit to Team New Zealand. They developed a fantastic package and are deserving champions,” he said.
The Cup in perspective
After reclaiming the Auld Mug in Bermuda four years ago, the result ensured that Team New Zealand had successfully defended international sport’s oldest prize for the second time in history. The Team first won the America’s Cup in 1995 in San Diego and went on to easily fight off the challenge of Luna Rossa in Auckland in 2000.
Government support assured
The government has congratulated Team New Zealand and reaffirmed its commitment to support the team as it prepares for the next America’s Cup.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that they had made the country proud.
“Peter Burling and his crew of skilled sailors showed what they were capable of in all conditions, highlighting the tactical brilliance and sheer hard work of everyone involved. Following a hard year, Team New Zealand provided such optimism and excitement. I know that with all the international limitations that Covid created, this was not the competition that they expected, but they have made us so proud,” she said.
The Minister responsible for America’s Cup Support Stuart Nash said that the Cabinet has agreed in principle to use the under-spend from the $136.5 million set aside in Budget 2018 to support the successful team to stay together while it planned its defence.
Conditions for support
“It would be subject to a number of conditions, including an expectation the Cup will be defended in New Zealand. The defence of the Cup offers a global opportunity to promote New Zealand as an innovative and successful nation, with spin-offs in areas like tourism and export deals”, he said.
Mr Nash said that while no request for support had yet been made, he anticipated it would be a similar to the $5 million that was paid after America’s Cup in Bermuda in 2017.
Auckland Mayor’s hope
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said that he was hopeful that Auckland would again host the America’s Cup in the next four years.
“All the infrastructure is there, and ready to go if Team New Zealand makes a decision to host the next Cup in Auckland. I know that the government will expect that and I really hope that the Cup is going to be in the city,” he said.
Mr Goff said that the country and spectators had been behind Team New Zealand and Auckland was a great place to host the cup.
-Published under a Special Agreement with www.rnz.co.nz
The above story has been sponsored by
