KEY POINTS:
Paihia, Bay of Islands
This is for you, Team New Zealand..Go for it guys! Nice to see a truly professional team at their very best. May the winds of the Gods fill your sails, and may you bring home much more than just tales. We know you'll do it! We have never lost faith in you all. Hats off to you all for hanging in there through all the rough waters. Thank you for behaving so profesionally, unlike your current opponents. We hope that Mr. Buterworth's foul public outburst is seen as a personal flaw, (or that of the Swiss Team), and does not reflect badly on all of us Kiwis. Guess you are really making him nervous! Yay!
Joe
Beat them, boys.
Jane Belthazar
Dear Dean, Grant and the team: I would like to say congrats on the win yesterday but in race three don't make any mistakes. Also in race three please get your starts right. And please even if you are behind don't give up.I think to win the Americas Cup use you best tactics when you really need them and save the best for the last two or three races that you will race to get five wins.Jane Belthazar and Lourenzo Fernandez (Auckland)And Team New Zealand supporter for ever P.S: I will be watching the race tonight you can do it.
Lourenzo Fernandez
Dear Sailors, It's me again and I would just like to say that I am watching the race tonight at 1.00 am NZT so I will be catching up on my sleep during the day.I don't know whether I said this in my last email but please get your starts right not only so you guys have a better chance of winning but so everyone watching in NZ won't be so nervous.You guys had a great win yesterday and it showed just how experienced you have became Dean Barker and thank you so much for helping and leading Team New Zealand to the Americas Cup Grant Dalton,you rock!If you do win the Americas Cup i was wondering whether you could parade it down Queen Street like back in 95. You see I wasn't born then I am only 10 turning 11 this year and my mum said it was just such a great atmosphere.
captain
I am a kiwi fan for rugby and sailing. great satisfaction for etnz victory in the second match race. I hope in a final victory 5 - 1 for etnz. I admire the character of New Zealanders. Never surrended. This is my second contact with.I read every day sport news at 08.00am nzt(in italy 10.00 pm. I would like receive an your mail appreciating my support. I wish etnz bring ac in Auckland.
Swiss Raft Adventures Switzerland
Go For It..Theres a whole bunch of Kiwis working for adventure companies here in Switzerland 100 per cent behind you....after all we have to put up with smug Swiss people pretending they know what there talking about. If passion for cup is anything to go by NZ has it won...the Swiss just don"t have it.
Alexandra (Refrath, Germany) I am all for New Zealand! Keep going.
Carolyn Dickenson (Norwalk, CT)
I am a Kiwi living in Norwalk, Connecticut, on the east coast of the USA and the racing starts at 9:00 a.m. On weekdays this means I rely on Americas Cup radio at work while I hold my breath for the next two hours. Thanks to all of you in TeamNZ for the excitement over the past couple of months. Who would have thought that this little nation at the bottom of the world could contribute such magnificent sailors who are making history all around the world from solo circumnavigation to Americas Cup match racing. All the Kiwis on all the boats in the Americas Cup races make me proud, but especially the team on the beautiful black boat. Go TeamNZ. See you in Auckland.
Consett, England
Go Team NZ!I was living in Auckland when you were whitewashed in 2003 so I know how badly it affected the country's mood. But now it's time for the Auld Mug to return to NZ and the City of Sails! Great victory on Sunday (UK time)! Well done! My bet is back on track!
Wee Jimmy (Auckland)
To Grant& Dean and the whole team you are all an inspiration to the whole of New Zealand and this is just to let you know that it is buzzing down under with support. No quarter asked and none given and when the time is right,more straight line sailing. Give it heaps me hearties and bring it home. Jimmy
Roy (Taiwan)
I don't know yachting much.But I am so proud of being a kiwi now and so delight to see what you have done for us.Go! Win it back! Team NZ. /span>
Proud ETNZ fan (Abu Dhabi, UAE)
Awesome boys!!!! You should some fight out there yesterday and I'm sure the world and especially Alinghi will see more of that fight and more of ETNZ Might!!! Darn proud of all involved with this sailing team.Thank you for making us Kiwi's all over the world united in our belief and support in what you boys are doing. Kia Kaha, know that the nation is blowing wind into those sails while your racing .
Babs (Devonport)
All I want to say is that I am unashamedly a middle aged Team New Zealand groupie of the female kind and am the only brave one of my middle aged friends to say so!I have never missed a single race since our wonderful and amazing boys first started in the America's Cup and I am single handedly trying to encourage people here in NZ (particularly on the North Shore)to start wearing Buzzy Bee t shirts. Suffice to say it hasn't really taken off so I guess it is back to the red socks ...a bit boring.In this little groupie group we all wish we were 30 years younger ...our Team NZ guys are more gorgeous than any other team in NZ. So go get 'em you fab hunks...you know who we mean!
Skyline Skyrides - Rotorua
Go NZL92 from the support crew at Skyline Skyrides, Rotorua.
Collin Reeves (Western Australia)
From all the Kiwis in the Pilbara of Western Australian, minning division, we are all proud of our sports personal from our home and no matter where we are in the world. Team New Zealand, you are our heroes.
Fred n Dorothy (Auckland)
"The sting in the bulb" - is working, if converted to, multi-sting action absolutely magic! Awesome victory, awesome team, worth the sleepless nights. The ETNZ composure under all that pressure can only be imagined by your supporters. Go you sweet things!
Dawson Family (Castor Bay)
Go boys go. We will be watching you every metre of the race. Good Luck.
George (Gisborne)
Cher cher ETNZ. Go getdem guys. Sink those ex-nzeders [the waka jumpers]. Stay hard, tight sails, grind'em up.
Marion (Dunedin)
To Grant, Dean and your wonderful crew (not to mention those amazing weather watchers). Prove that skill, will and wonderful team work/support, beats money every time. Tonight will be an exciting time for all NZers. Go get that Cup!
Anne Morrison (California)
Go Kiwis we are rooting for you from California. Just wish we could see it on TV. Go, go, go.
From Anne, Jenny, Mike, Betsy, Dan, Sue, Jane and Bob.
Diver70
All of us in NZ will be watching with bated breath. I'm going to be in a pub or finding a big screen somewhere. I know Peter Blake's thoughts are with you guys and girls. You have an army of support back hear. Go deal to them.
Estelle and Harold Goldwater
They've got what it takes, and will bring home the cup. We wish them the very best of luck.
Hokianga (Northland)
Go the K1w1 team. Bring the ole mug back.
Helen Butt (Rotorua)
To Dean Barker and the rest of Team New Zealand. I wish you the best of luck for the America's Cup. Go out and beat them, you can do it. But wear your red socks. Best of luck for all the team, we in NZ are all backing you and we will be watching the race. Go get them tigers.
Colin Wilde (Sydney)
I'm here in Sydney biting my nails for you all. I get goose bumps all over just thinking about how you must be feeling. Well done to get this far. Give 'em a taste of Kiwi!
Pat [Canada]
Way to go guys, but you have to quit doing things like that, You are giving me coronaries when you're play the game like that. Sorry about the loss yesterday, and congratulations for your win today. Good luck on Tuesday. Kick ass.
Robyn Yearbury
Wishing you all the best for a great result tonight. Clean them up with honour - bring it home! We will be proud of you! Free coffees for all the team at cafe Norsewood!
Robyn and Gary, Lance and Gaylene
Norsewood.
Fat Tony (Springfield, USA)
If yous wants, I can arrange for the other guys to have another "accident" next time you race. Just give me the word.
Jim (Nelson)
Dean, Grant, crew and support team. You guys are really doing yourselves and this country proud. As an occasional and very social sailor, I can't really envisage the level of energy and commitment it takes to be so outstanding at what you do. The fact remains that you're outstanding practitioners of your trade and yesterday's win was eagerly awaited and so well deserved. That you win the starts augers well for future races.
I know you're not vindictive types but it would be so good to vanquish Alinghi and all that challenge represents in terms of European privilege and arrogance and bring that cup back down under. You are undoubtedly the best combination of talent to do just that. And remember, "a minute's success pays the failure of years." Go get it, guys!
Daniel Shoebridge
Go Team New Zealand, you can win it! My dad is getting me up to watch it on TV.
Harry L (Waitakere City)
Go Team! Here's hoping for more Alinghi errors from their quality Swiss craftsmanship.
The Hollows Family (Milford)
We will be watching every race guys! All the best to everyone on Team NZ.
Hudig Family
Best wishes guys! We're proud of you and will be watching!
Ann Craig
Go Team New Zealand. We will be up all night again as we have always been. We think you are all wonderful people. Our hearts will be beating fast. Good luck.
Derek @ Ann.
Granny Lowe (Auckland)
You have done exceptionally well. Bring it on home! You are a terrific team and it is yours for the taking.
Ian (Hamilton)
Go TNZ we know you can do it.
Kiwi in Minnesota
Best of luck, we know you can do it. Will be watching every race.
Kiwiviv (California, USA)
Go Kiwis! I hope you can hear us cheering from over here. We will be waving NZ flags and cheering our boys on. Prayers and best wishes for your great success.
Tony (Auckland)
Go Grant, Dean, and all the crew. You've got the Boss on board crewing, that in itself is inspiration, can't see Ernesto as bowman. That huge New Zealand flag at your base shows that pride in country, faith, and self belief can bring the silverware back home. We are all with you, you couldn't have done any more. The best is yet to come.
Holming (Kiwi in San Francisco)
I think everyone is very proud of Team New Zealand and their amazing achievement in winning the Louis Vuitton series. No matter what the outcome is in the America's Cup, we will know that the boys gave their best and they will come home as heroes.
Eve and Bob (Ohiwa Harbour)
All the best guys. We hope that some of the wind we are getting at the moment will propel you to victory. You've done us proud with your results so far, the Big One will be the icing on the cake. You deserve it all. Go Team NZ.
McArtney family (Greenhithe)
(Red) sock it to them TNZ. You've come through it so far, so let's continue the winning streak. We're with you all the way.
Skip & Kodynn (Brisbane)
Good luck team Team New Zealand. If anyone can, Kiwis can. It's going to be an awesome contest. You have a good following here in Brisbane. Kia kaha.
Behr (Manurewa, Auckland)
Kia kaha Emirates Team NZ. We always knew the first race was going to be a hard one but we knew in our hearts that you would be able to step up to the plate and bring it on. Batter up, with two strikes you hit a home run on the 3rd. Well done boys on winning the second race. Keep your heads held high and from here on in it is just another day at the office, one race at a time. We know you guys can do it and we will be here watching you and we will be with you in spirit. Go hard all the way. You are a great team.
Andrew Troup
Team New Zealand: Hats off to Grant Dalton for setting the conditions for you guys to dig yourselves out of a horrendous situation. Nobody can say you haven't earned to opportunity to challenge. The other guys seem to have *almost* everything it should take to win, but that may not be enough. I see vulnerabilities in several areas: Leadership, motivation, race-readiness, support.
But to me the most interesting one is that they appear fixated on the fastest boat winning. There are a couple of problems with relying on that, it seems to me, even if their boat does turn out to be faster, and even if that has always been the case in the past, one of the less obvious problems is that the unprecedentedly short courses, which arise from the viewer-oriented culture they have promoted, may not offer enough opportunities for a slightly faster boat to exploit its speed.
In comparison, you do have absolutely everything it takes to be winners in this final encounter. Furthermore, a whole nation of passionate supporters believe this to be true, and we'd carry the boat across the line if we had to, by the sheer force of our belief.
Go kiwis, buzz that bee!
Elwin's (Papakura)
We wish Team New Zealand all the best and can't wait to be part of the great celebration once again. Bring home the Cup guys. We know you can do it. We will be watching every race. Just remember, you may be miles from home but every one here is rooting for you.
Go go go for it.
Lita Steele (Kaiwaka)
Good Luck to Dean Barker and crew and all and NZL92.
Old Karu
May Tangaroa's warm breath reach around the corner of the globe and fill your sails with a decisive five wins. Kia kaha to all TNZ. There family's right down to the lady who makes the coffee and goes and gets the paper. You're one hell of a big team and we can't forget those who are there for the boys. Proud to be a Kiwi. Kia Ora.
Raven (Hawkes Bay)
Bring the cup home were it belongs.
Bates
Have followed the fortunes of Team New Zealand since the early days of Fremantle. We were sad on our return home to NZ in 2003 to witness the loss to Alinghi and look forward to enjoying your triumph to regain the cup in Valenzia. We are so proud of your achievements in winning the Louis Vuitton. Bring it back home where it belongs Team. Our best wishes and good luck to you all.
Peter & Barbara Bates.
Walter (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)
All the best lads in today's race, I know with all the hard work you all have put in since 2003 that you can do it. Make a statement today and dominate! Show the world what Kiwi's can do, proud to be a kiwi, proud to be an Emirates Team New Zealand supporter.
Grant Watson
As my T-shirt says "Let's Bring It Home". Good luck and we all know you'll give it your best.
The Foulkes (Whakatane)
Go Team NZ.
Christchurch
Wishing you guys all the best bring the cup back for New Zealand. I have been watching all the races. Well done Grant and all the team. Go New Zealand.
Jeeva (Auckland)
Go Boys. You've done us proud so far with grit and determination. Keep up the momentum. Wishing you good luck.
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