KEY POINTS:
Here is an ealier selection of your messages to Team New Zealand:
Zoran
Hi guys!
I wish you all the luck, and hope you will bring it back.
Palmerston North
Go boys and give them a licking + kicking you are all top guns.Bring the cup home.
richards family QLD australia
To all the sailors on board Team New Zealand, good wishes and good luck.We will be watching you sail away graciously to the finish line.The platform is yours this time.To kiwi fans in OZ,there is some coverage on fox sports 1
Ian Latham (Atlanta)
Best wishes to Grant, Dean and the boat crew, and to the shore teams who make everything possible. All power to NZL92. You work hard. You work with each other. You respect and support each other. You will earn your victories!
LJ
Hi Dean and crew. All the best and go show them we can do it.
Henry Family (Auckland)
Good Luck, godspeed and many, many heartfelt wishes from home for a continued successful campaign.
Dave
Best wishes to Team New Zealand. We will be watching every race. It must be encouraging that Alinghi seem to be still designing their boat!
Baggy
Congratulations for getting this far, I love you all.
Chris (Switzerland)
Hello Team New Zealand, I wish you all the best for the next races against Alinghi, I'm sure you'll win. I always watch the races and hope that you'll beat Alinghi. This is going to be a victory not for just the sailing team, but the whole and proud nation New Zealand. Just bring it back!
Romano (Auckland)
Go Team NZ. We love you for what you've done so far and hope you will bring the cup back home with you. But if not, you are No. 1 for us anyway.
Hubert (Zevallos)
Vamos Team New Zealand,a ganar ustedes son los mejores del mundo.
Jono (Morrinsville)
Hi guys, great effort. I so wish I could be on the sunny shores of Valencia watching Emirates Team NZ vs Alinghi in the 32nd America's Cup. Good luck and keep up the excellent work.
Priarit (East Beach, Waitara)
I love all the hype and the goodwill coming from all over the world for the TNZ. Go boys, go get them.
Loyal Naffa (Auckland)
We are proud of your achievements and know that you'll do your best to bring the Cup home! Go and beat a'Dinghi! I'm ready for a Queen St ticket parade in July!
G Rover (Auckland)
So far so good lads. I will be watching on Saturday when you go head to head with Alingi. Race hard and don't give 'em an inch!
Adam (Palmerston North)
Love you Team New Zealand. Make us proud and bring it home! Cant wait to see Alinghi go down!
Jaffa n Oz
Go you good things! Keep a cool head and bring it on home. Win or lose, you're already champions, but really, just bring it on home.
Harry (Albany)
Guys you can do it, you can do it. Just believe you can do it, and you will. Go Team New Zealand!
Kiwi Kim (Los Angeles)
Keep the focus on your windspotter and weather team. Don't second guess them. Don't make this harder than Luna Rossa. It doesn't necessarily have to be harder than the LV cup. Don't be your own enemy. Relax, focus and never let emotion get in the way of the job at hand. Wait for them to make the mistakes. Your psychological attitude in the last set of series was perfect. Steady, rational, solid. Go Team New Zealand!
Eddie (Victoria, BC)
Go Team NZ. Go kick some butt!
Clive
Well done guys. Whatever happens in the America's cup match you have done more than enough to bury the ghosts of 2003. You are our heroes, and if you do manage to bring home the big one there will be a party to make 1995 look drab. After all, no city has ever lost and regained the America's cup - yet.
Bridget (North shore Auckland)
Tena Koutou to all of the NZL92 team, you guys rock... were so proud of you back here in NZ, and are waiting with baited breath for the Americas Cup racing to begin - I'm gonna have to get out those ruddy matchsticks again at work to keep my eyes open after watching you guys race! Ignore all of the negative comments that have been made about your supporters over their. I think as Kiwi's it's in our nature to rise above negativity, only to become stronger and more determined through it! Go NZL92, bring the cup home! =)
Panapa (Wanganui)
Go get'em boys! It's going to be a real battle on the water but I believe - "call me loyal". Congrats on the fine performance against the Italians. The boat looks like a good all rounder and I see a few small innovations appearing at the right time. My guess is this boat's legs haven't been stretched yet! Good luck lads. Kia kaha, see ya in Auckland with the silver ware!
Kiwi (Colorado)
Bring the Auld Mug home boys! I was there in '95 to see the Cup, and would love to see it back where it belongs in the South Pacific. It will give me yet another reason to be home in 2011. We are all proud of you and your outstanding representation of our beautiful nation.
Geoff
While it may seem like a good idea, I think that talking about a 'Next Time' before 'This Time' is in the bag is danger zone arrogance. Keep the head on the job, let the others scobble over trival stuff, and bring it home from under their noses. Haven't we learnt anything from 2003?
Ken Brown
Some follow rugby, others netball or league. For me its yachting and tennis. So, I'm on my way to Valencia and Wimbledon. I've just booked my flights for Valencia and London. I will watch you all bring home the cup and see Federer win another Wimbledon. I must be in heaven. Congratulations to you all, we are so proud of what you have achieved and know you have the hunger to go the whole way. I have watched all your races from the comfort of my lounge in Cambridge and now I'll be on the water, as I was in 2003, willing you home. Go Kiwi. Yes, we can fly!
Mary & Tom from Auckland
Hi team We are coming over to Valencia to cheer you on-we think what you've achieved is terrific. It's always challenging to come from a set back and you have proved you have the spirit to do it. We're proud Kiwis!
Dominik (Germany)
Hey guys, I've followed the races of the Luis Vuitton Cup only on internet radio because I need Pay TV to see the Americas Cup on TV....but what I've heard on the Livestream was fantastic. Congratulations Team New Zealand. I'm not a Kiwi, but I'll keep my fingers crossed for you....bring the cup home than I'll be in Auckland in 2011. You've gotta beat Alinghi. Give it a go.
Love2Sail (Iowa City, USA)
Dear Emirates Team New Zealand, I am an avid fan of yours from the central United States. I would like to congratulate you on your victory in the Louis Vuitton Cup. Your progress through the round robins and into the finals shows that you are continually improving and I have no doubt you will continue to do so. It seems to me that many nations wish for you to fail. I am hoping that you are taking that desire to fire your passion for winning the America's Cup. I wish you the best of luck in the upcoming races. Your team represents the honour and tradition that makes ones endeavour great!
Sing (Canton, China)
I was there down in Queen Street in Auckland 1995. I will be there this year. Whatever you bring back Team New Zealand. I am so proud of you. You are my heroes.
Kiwi (Dallas, Texas)
Congratulations to all of you and we watch every minute of the cup races here in Dallas. Just two Kiwis watching our home town boys making mincemeat of the competition. Makes me very proud to be a Kiwi. I would love you to bring it home to NZ. Know there are two of us here in America thinking whatever the outcome you are heroes to all of us.
Italy
I'm from Italy and I've supported Luna Rossa since now. But now you've won the LV Cup I really hope the team will bring it home. Good luck guys. I want to see next races in Auckland.
Donald (Egypt)
Go Dean Baker. Team NZ is the best.
Edna
You all have come this far and I am very proud for New Zealand. I hope you bring the cup back to NZ but if you do not you guy's have done a great job trying. You can come sailing on our yacht anytime :-)
junglesherm
Thanks Team New Zealand for giving our country belief again. Our belief is that you can & will do it. Best wishes from Sherman & Andrea Stayton. Bring it home.
Ray (Auckland)
Boys please don't make it a clean sweep... We deserve some thrills.5-4 to ETNZ is ideal, 5-3 to ETNZ is good enough, 5-2 to ETNZ is probably most likely, 5-1 to ETNZ is semi-boring, 5-0 to ETNZ is boring. But if you really feel like kicking some A.., we will understand. Go Deano.
Lisa Ahlqvist
Maybe Armstrong walked the Moon but New Zealand's Dean Barker definitely rules the waves.
Richard
Is it just me, or are others feeling kind of sad that we don't really have any campaign supporting our boys this year around. No national song or anything. I remember the days where "Sailing Away" brought everyone together in support. Best of luck to Team NZ, we know you can do it, so do your best and know that we are proud of you all for what you have done.
Marcus
You guys can come and have a beer at my place any time... Well worth getting up to watch in the middle of the night.... Go hard guys, you are all winners already...
warriewood sydney
So very proud of our Kiwi cousins,bring it home team.Can't wait to see the auld mug back in the southern hemisphere where it belongs, maybe we aussies will make it over the ditch to compete next time. Go the black boat, give 'em hell.
Lane Ledbetter
It's so exciting to see the Kiwi's so focused on "bringing the cup home." I'm a yank who has been a supporter of the black boats for three campaigns now. I was in Auckland during the last defence and am looking forward to returning for the next one! Cheers to Grant Dalton, Dean Barker and his entire crew, all of the ETNZ designers, builders, sponsors, and everyone who has played a part in this classy campaign. Go NZ92!
A Herbert
Attaching the mast stays to the keel below the waterline (i.e. beneath the bottom of the boat) would allow the stays to shape the keel to resist leeward movement while maintaining a keel fixed to the boat and using only forces generated by motion of the hull through the water (i.e. compliant with rule 17). Of course, an external seal (?the keel bulge in SSUI100) would be needed to prevent water entry into the hull through the holes that the stays pass through. Who says the stays have to attach to the top of the keel inside the boat? The notion is somewhat similar to how a mast can swivel at the top but remain fixed at deck level (which Alinghi perfected in 2003)
Lisa Ahlqvist
Maybe Armstrong walked the Moon but New Zealand's Dean Barker definitely rules the waves.
withya'salltheway
Dear team new zealand,the voice of peter montgomery telling us that "the Americas cup is now New Zealand's cup" still rings in my ears and i believe that the way in which we conduct ourselves on the water and off shows the quintessential meaning of being kiwi.on the water head down bums up do the job, if we go down, we go down fighting, this year however we have our heads held high regardless. may her sails be full and let the cup come home to where it is treasured the most long live the black magic spirit.
john cotton
I am both a UK citizen and also privileged to hold New Zealand citizenship. I was on holiday in Auckland the day New Zealand lost the Cup, viewing the scene from the top of the Sky Tower. I love the thought of the cup returning to Auckland and wish the team every success. Sadly, there has been little coverage of the trials in the UK to our shame and many voices are wishing that it remains either in Europe or USA for purely commercial reasons. So, I say, go New Zealand go.
BJ84 (St Kilda by the Bay)
Five more wins, please. Keep concentrating until the job is done! No coverage whatsoever here in Melbourne but vivid memories of the last two Cups in Auckland with excellent TVNZ coverage and sports bars around the bases means I can 'see' what's going on as I listen to internet radio. Let's see our Kiwis beat their Kiwis!
Mrs E (Vancouver, Canada)
Well done boys, caught up with the news while on holiday in Vancouver. Give them hell and show no mercy, will be cheering from what ever part of Canada I'm in. You are what Kiwi sportsmen are about. Kia kaha.
Bteam
Enjoy the re-match with Alinghi. They're not used to losing so every victory will undermine their confidence. 5-3 to Emirates New Zealand.
Loretta (Nassau)
I would like to express my feelings re expectation to bring the cup back were it belongs. It would be great but as far as I am concerned our guys are the winners already, even if things do not go well. All any one can expect is your best and I know you will give us that. All the best boys, I am going to get there to see you if I can find hotel accommodation.
Fred (Auckland)
Well done Team NZ! Willie Jackson wanted your boat to sink and said you did not have NZ mainstream backing on his Radio Live programme. Well you guys have NZ support! Win and watch him stink in shame!
Happy Hamiltonians!
Congratulations Team New Zealand - I am sure every Kiwi is very proud of your efforts. Keep up the great work.
Andrew Atkin
Well done on systematically destroying the competition (again). When you come back to NZ with the Cup, as you probably will, please make a point of totally standardising all the boats, so the competition is 100 per cent about seamanship, as opposed to money and technology. This will make the sport a closer match between the boats and therefore more exciting to watch, and save everyone a fortune in otherwise massive R&D costs. Indeed, the monetary difference from the sponsors should ultimately come back to you guys - the sailors!
Old Karu
Got to be good to have all those Kiwis in Valenc. It would have to add colour to the place and it has got to be good for our boys on the black boat. Kia ora to all who are there to awhi the black boat and our warriors who sail for us.
Williab12
Australia at one stage got excited about the America's Cup, when their skipper beat the Americans on Oracle BMW, big news on the sports page - but not now. I have to watch on virtual TV as there is no coverage here. Not as good as the real thing but it has to do. We have the British commentary, which was so biased, but now they are being forced to change their tune. Great to see the NZ doing so well. Love it.
Yvonne & Dirk Huizing
Congratulations Team New Zealand, what a wonderful performance by each and every one of the team, on the boat and on shore. You are a credit to your country and we are so very, very proud of you. We are a nation where when faced with adversity (2003) and our backs against the wall, we come out fighting. You all did that - so much credit to you! Now the big one! Just know that there are so many Kiwis back home who get up in the very early hours of the morning to support you - if you only knew how many there must be! We are all with you in spirit, so keep up the great work. We know you have it in you to do it and you have worked soooo hard to get where you are.
FLIP444
Bring back the cup so 2007 will be memorable and 2011 will be the best year in New Zealand's history with two international tournaments going in the country at the same time. Go the Kiwi!
Teik Ee (Malaysia)
Great going Grant, Dean and the team on winning the LV Cup. The chance to seize back the America's Cup has painstakingly been realised. All the planning, waiting and perfecting. Keep the minds focussed, the determination up and may you continue have the strength and courage to bring the America's Cup home to Auckland. We are having an ex-NZ students gathering in Penang on July 7th and I want to be talking of ETNZ's voyage and win. Go out and enjoy the racing.
Kirsten
I have to say, well done, very proud kiwi here. Never doubted that they could do this. My four-year-old loves the racing. Gets up in the morning and asks if the Kiwi's raced Luna Rossa last night and did we win. Then if it was on, he expects to watch it. So we (adults) usually stay up and watch and tape it so our son can watch the Kiwi team with pride. Keep up the great work.
Loretta (Nassau)
Hip hip hurray! It is so good to see you boys smile. I am actually crying for joy. Big hugs to all you guys and thank you.
Proud Fan
Congratulations Team New Zealand. Seldom have I felt so proud to be a kiwi as I have watching your rise from the ashes, to being without doubt the top ranked America's Cup team in the world. Regardless of the result from here, the whole country is immensely proud of your efforts to date and we know if the boats are comparable, you guys will prevail. Dean will be the only helmsman in the final to have steered in an America's Cup race victory and that could be a small edge. Alinghi will be a step up again, but I'm betting on you!
Randi, Rae and Alan Staight (Vancouver Island, Canada)
"There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much fun as simply messing about in boats." Ratty, Wind in the Willows.
Keep on messing till the jobs done.
I'm a believer (Hawera)
Fantastic stuff. Knew you could do it right back in 2003. Thank you for the vindication! It only gets better from here.
Michael Gray
How proud would anyone be who is lucky enough to be a Kiwi. When viewing the racing the sheer expertise shown by our crew was breathtaking. How many other sports do we punch well above our weight even more so considering the budget size that can restrict one's efforts. You again wonder, just how badly we did things back in 2003, we were kidding ourselves, so this redemption is appreciated by the Kiwi Public.
If we don't win the Cup back, I can only hope we do not fold up and depart the entire scene crying, "it's not worth it". What it must do to our image offshore, the selling of NZ in many spheres cannot be under estimated, it is worth huge sums of money . I would hate to see it all run away as we don't pursue regaining the Cup as the world's most pre-eminent yachting nation.
Annie (Mt Wellington)
Go Team New Zealand, stick to your guns and defeat the opposition! Fly like the wind, don't look back!
Believer
The way you guys have picked yourselves off the canvas is an inspiration to kiwis all over the world. You make us proud.
Brian Metcalf
My idea is that Luna Rossa and her crew be made available to race with Team NZ during the next fortnight.
Luna was clearly going faster in the last race after the Tuesday all-night tweaking session. This would be deadly serious racing with the opportunity for Luna Rossa to demonstrate that she can beat Emirates whilst the intensity of the sailing would greatly help Team NZ maintain peak condition. I think this idea will probably appeal to Francesco and Patrizio. Hopefully put aside the unpleasantness of the past and go and see Dalton. We need all the help we can get to beat the Swiss Rocket. Now that would help patch up any bad feelings and re-establish cordial relations.
We've gotta beat Alinghi. Give it a go.
Next