Emirates Team New Zealand take easy win

It was never really in doubt. The Americans just didn’t have anything left in the tank. From the very start of the final, it was a Masterclass demonstration by ETNZ.

The 8-1 win will keep the various global yachting magazines going for months. There will be lots of stories and theories put out to try to make sense of Oracle Team USA – the team that never was.

Instead of the might of Larry Ellison’s megabucks blasting the little New Zealanders away, ETNZ showed the world it could win against the Yanks oh so easily.

Oracle was a spent force. Every race was a disaster for the team. Over the line at the start. Over the course limits. Allowing Burling to hook them into oblivion before just sailing away from them.

It must have hurt the USA sailors, having to congratulate ETNZ when they knew they had sailed so badly themselves.

So now we have the recriminations. Will Larry Ellison walk away? Or will he be determined to get The Auld Mug back?

Scuttlebutt US says Grant Dalton, CEO of Emirates Team New Zealand, announced the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron has accepted the challenge of Circolo della Vela Sicilia, which will be the Challenger of Record for the 36th America’s Cup and will be represented by Luna Rossa.

Blown away
“We’re just blown away,” said Peter Burling, helmsman of Emirates Team New Zealand. “We came here to win the America’s Cup and right now we’re taking the America’s Cup back home to New Zealand.

“To be able to win eight races in beautiful Bermuda in front of a big crowd of our own fans is overwhelming, we’re just happy to be able to share this moment with them, we’re just blown away. I’ve grown up watching this competition as a fan and to be a Kiwi and taking this Cup home is a dream come true.”

Glenn Ashby, Skipper of Emirates Team New Zealand, and the only sailing member who was part of the team’s 2013 defeat, was pleased to get the job done this time.

“What happened in 2013 was a brutal experience for everyone involved, to be so close was extremely disappointing and is something that will live with all of us for the rest of our lives.

“So to be able to come here a few years later and pull off an unbelievable victory has really redeemed that situation for New Zealand and it feels like justice has prevailed.”

Scuttlebutt Europe says Race nine started with both Emirates Team New Zealand and ORACLE TEAM USA enjoying clean starts and engaged in a drag race to the first mark, the US team edging just ahead but then losing ground to their rivals on the run to the second mark.

Burling was serene at the helm of the Kiwi boat, displaying no nerves as he steered his team towards glory, but Spithill and the ORACLE TEAM USA crew were not giving up, pushing harder than ever to try and take the tie to race ten. However, it was not to be.

By the third mark the Challenge’s lead was up to 26 seconds, increasing further still at the fourth mark, up to 34 seconds, and from that point, barring mistakes by Burling and his all-conquering Emirates Team New Zealand crew, the die was cast.

Congratulations
ORACLE TEAM USA offers its sincere congratulations to Emirates Team New Zealand. The team is a worthy champion.

“On behalf of ORACLE TEAM USA I want to congratulate Emirates Team New Zealand,” said skipper Jimmy Spithill.

“They were the complete package and fully deserving of the win.

“Thank you to our families, friends, partners and supporters. You’ve been with us every step of the way.

“I’d also like to thank Bermuda for hosting a fantastic America’s Cup. What you saw here was some of the best racing in the history of the event and you have to credit the vision of Larry Ellison and Russell Coutts for passing the event over in such a strong position.”

Team founder Larry Ellison addressed the team after racing, saying: “I am very proud to be a part of this team. We gave it everything.

“When you compete against the very best in the world, you aren’t going to win every time. We did it Valencia in 2010 and in San Francisco in 2013. But this was New Zealand’s time and we congratulate them for a great win.”