Speed was game decider in Cup battle

Forty-four seconds was all it took to win the most coveted trophy in the sailing world - the America’s Cup.

Those seconds in Race 19 in a day rife with tension, emotion and the hopes and dreams of millions on display ended the race.

According to the America’s Cup website, “One million fans visited the official America’s Cup venues at Piers 27/29 and Marina Green since they opened on July 4, and hundreds of thousands more lined the shores of San Francisco Bay to catch a glimpse of the flying, foiling AC72.”

Closer to home and at the local Chilli’s Bar in Tupapa, the races were watched by an average of 60 people per race day.

Supporter of Emirates Team New Zealand and owner of the bar Dave Reuthers says, “We had quite a few Kiwi supporters watching the race and although we averaged 60 people on a race day, we had a maximum of 180 for one of the races. It was an exciting time. An exciting start and an equally exciting but disappointing finish.”

The 34th America’s Cup could not have concluded with a more spectacular flourish as the first team in the sailing world was crowned and it was not the cup favourite–Emirates Team New Zealand.

The Cup will stay with defender Oracle Team USA for now as Race 19 finished what started three weeks ago - a challenge to win top honours.

The cup captured the fastest, longest, sailing race–a defence for the record books between the two top teams in sailing.

Led by 35-year-old skipper Jimmy Spithill, the team won by the score of 9-8 in what can only be described as a heartbreaker for Emirates Team New Zealand but the fans supported the team all the way.

Says Reuthers, “It is a shame that Emirates Team New Zealand lost but it happens. Now we are looking forward to the 35th America’s Cup. For a small nation, Kiwis can really punch above their weight.”

As another fan commented, “Well done lads, hold your heads high!! You guys did it for your country, not for the money–and that in my books makes you the better team regardless of who won the silverware.”

As Emirates Team New Zealand wrote on Facebook, “It has been a long arduous campaign with absolute heart and soul put into it by not only the entire team but the whole country. Thank you for your support. Congratulations Oracle.”