KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier selection of Your Views:
Least we forget
Have people forgotten that Grant Dalton sailed for the Europeans in the Volvo Ocean Race? Was he called a traitor then? Others on in the TNZ camp have sailed for other countries in the past, are they traitors? Has anyone called Chris Dickson a traitor lately? Grow up New Zealand! This nation is suffering from a large dose of 'Short Man Syndrome'.
LV
Some one call Sue Bradford as Brad Butterworth and Alinghi have just spanked Dean Barker and TNZ.
Butterworth and Coutts are NZ's best sailors they are world class. Brad Butterworth should be nominated for the Helberg award.
If the NZ govt is serious about winning the America's Cup they would be better off giving $10m to Coutts and Butterworth and get them to commit to a team based in NZ otherwise I doubt we will see the cup here again for many years
Billyboy
So that's the end of this Americas cup challenge. NZ "B" won by one second, or was it two seconds. It gets confusing right there. It is a disappointment to the team and to New Zealanders and NZ sportspeople in particular. In spite of that we have to look at our America's Cup record. We were the first country to win five nil, we were also the first country outside the US to successfully defend the cup, but we have to face the fact that no body in fair contest can stay on top forever. We also have to look at why we did so well back then. Not only did we have a good team but we also had a clear technological advantage which was bound to evaporate with time. I agree with Grant Dalton, if we are to ever win the cup again the team needs to stick together, no "ship jumpers". We need to encourage new young sailors in a sport which in this country is not just about "the rich boys playing with their toys". It is a healthy pastime open to anyone with the inclination, young or old. In a closing note I believe there is something about Kiwis that occasionally likes to say to the billionaires with the fat chequebooks, "not everything in this world is for sale", and that includes our team.
Silence Somegood
Brad Butterworth is not and never will be the best sportsman in New Zealand. Why anyone would give him that title is beyond me. What has he done to deserve that title. What races has he been in in the past few years, none except the Cup. Dean Barker has been in more races world wide, and won more, than Brad Butterworth has had cold dinners. I would not even class him as a New Zealand Sportsman. He races for the Swiss. Too often we excuse those who are willing to build their own lives on the dreams of other human beings. I would say that goes for Bertarelli as well. He is just a glory hunter, lining his pockets on the coat tails of others. He is ill-mannered, has no decorum , and not a sportsman at all.
Glad its over
Well 2-5, a thrashing really - stop this crap about losing it by a second. But more importantly why must we as a country slipping so quickly down the OECD rankings no wonder 700 a week leave for Australia continue to fund rich layabouts who if they want to play in big boats should use there own money or get more from the list of well known NZ companies prepared to have naming rights - Go Te Emirates. Please ministers use the money to shorten waiting lists, improve vastly substandard infrastructure, make it 30 free hours of pre-school or support a fairer breast cancer support model ... - anything but waste our taxes on this hollow phrase that it is good for NZ's image when we at home have to put up with the real image.
Andrew Law
Greatest New Zealand Sportsman ever? No. Greatest sports-mercanary who happens to be from New Zealand? Maybe. You can't be a great New Zealand sportsman if you are not competing for New Zealand.
Mike (Wellington)
Feel free to challenge but without taxpayers cash! As far as I am concerned Trevor Mallard should go. He sanctioned the spending of US$34 Million to get second place. Professional sport is a tough world, Trevor should stand down now
Chris (Canterbury)
I have 3 things to think about: 1 Does Dick Hubbard no the meaning of the words winners & heroes? After his comments today that the crew of ETNZ were winners & heroes I don't think so. Yes we are all proud to be kiwis & proud of TNZ but for the record Dick, winners come first not second and heroes is a word i wouldn't use to call these sailors! A hero is someone who saves someone from a burning building or someone who is trying to feed six kids on US$500 dollars a week! Would the people of New Zealand call the All Blacks winners & heroes if they came second at the rugby world cup this year? I don't think so! 2 I have always said good on Russell,Brad & the others for doing the best thing for them & their family,after all without these great kiwis we would never have had the cup in the first place(traitors they are not!)But Brad showed his true colours in this event and he let himself down,maybe it is because he has spent to much time with Ernsto! 3 As for Dean Barker should he sail for TNZ again?No!If any other leader of a New Zealand sports team only won 3 out of 13 races or games he or she would be gone,see ya Dean thanks for nothing!
Roger
Let's go for the "win-win" option. Oracle-Team New Zealand would clean up!
Paul from Auckand
The best team won on the day. Get over it New Zealand. You dont have to win everything. Sport is all about accepting coming second best sometimes. There is no need for the nation to go into mourning every time the country suffers a defeat in sport. And since when was Yachting our national sport anyway?
Kevin O'Brien
Congratulations to all. This has been a cliff hanger series. Looking forward to having Coutts on Oracle, Butterworth on Alingi and Barker on TNZ.It may be an expensive sport, but it has put NZ's boating industry on the world map, rebuilt Auckland harbour and is great tourism publicity. I expect Treasury can justify the expenditure for the Government involvement.
John
So the Swiss are going to try and push the cost well up in the hope NZ does not reappear.
Why do we not now approach the Louis Vieuton company and set up a Pacific Cup.That would include Aussie, USA , China etc etc as well as NZ.
David
I find the rugby reference pathetic! How many "All Blacks" are actually native Kiwi's? I'm English but my adopted country is Switzerland and fair play is the order of the day. You Kiwis remind me of the Scot's: bad winners and even worse losers!
Phill (Takapuna)
Congratulations to both teams: Exciting, under pressure contest, closer than the scorline suggests.I don't think anyone doubted at the capability of NZ sailors: After all, the boat that was the undoing last time, while the psychological approach of the "Loyal" campaign shifted the true focus of the team and undermined their preparation work. I'm proud of the fact that there are also NZers on the winning boat: Those calling them traitors have a shallow understanding of what went on around this group of experienced sailors, who were initially in the team that brought us the Cup. What moral high-ground are these people speaking from when ETNZ itself has a handful of Americans and Brits, most notably Terry Hutchinson, the brilliant tactician? There's no need to be bitter. All sportspeople relish new challenges. You could argue that the government cash could be put to better use, but accept that ETNZ's feats on the international stage can create very positive impressions of NZ to the world. In a country where sponsorship money goes to rugby and cricket first, we have to ensure that our capable sportspeople have the opportunity to shine on the world stage in other sports too.
chirpi
Probably have to agree with Adrian from auckland. a great world sportsman but a great kiwi sportsman? probably not as he is not out there doing it for his country.
Kitty&Hils
Go Team NZ! You can definitely do it guys. You have beaten them before and you can beat them again. Dig deep, give it your best and bring it home! We are proud of you no matter what. K&H
Ian (Perth)
To all those short sited people that say that the tax money is a waste and should be spend on social needs in New Zealand, well I say that you are a bunch of short sighted dole bludgers that just wont handouts and do not give anything back to this great small country. The 10 million dollars is an investmant for this country of New Zealand and makes wealth and jobs for the average New Zealanders let it be the farmers or factory workers by making markets for their produce. More markets more tax money the government collects to spend on schools and hospitals. Do not be so ignorant and short sighted. No body in the world knew that New Zealand existed till money was invested in The Americas Cup or the Lord of The Rings. And to those people who say that would be better, well those are the people who are collecting the dole and wanting handouts.
markoshark, Auckland
The govt. made 22 million in PAYE from ETNZ. How much money above their 30 mil would they have made?Its time to stand up, and be counted. Is 100 million too much to ask? If ETNZ wins the cup, that money will instantly be recouped.
RichW
Well done to Alinghi and well done to Team NZ, here's hoping we can get another challenge together and be in to win in 2011.Forget the hyperbole, the best team won, it hurts I know but TNZ provided a mighty challenge for some of the best racing in the cups history and that ain't a bad thing.
Btlfannz
I don't care. It doesn't matter. I'm still proud to be a Kiwi and I couldn't be any more proud of Dalts, Dean and the boys if I tried. All people that call themselves New Zealanders should revel in the glory that our sailors have bought us. Go Emirates Team New Zealand 2009 (or whenever)
Gav in HK
Despite losing the America's Cup, and only by a whisker, it sure does make you proud to be a Kiwi. From a nation of only 4 million people we know how to take it to the world. My support and admiration goes out to any New Zealander who puts on "Black" and shows the world just how strong we are.Congratulations to Grant Dalton and the boys for such an amazing effort. you should be so proud of yourselves.And I guess congrats to all those Kiwi's on the "other boat". They would have been lost without you!
Kelly (Dairyflat)
Did the best team win? This is hard to tell due to the high number of New Zealanders on the "opposing" team (Alinghi). Obviously New Zealanders have a talent for sailing, but I think had there been stronger winds we would of had a real competition, and we could of seen who the better sailors were, rather than whose boat could catch the most wind. When it comes down to it, its New Zealanders against New Zealanders on different boats.
Tones
es, the best team one the Cup, and yes, Team NZ should mount another challenge. The competition in the final series was rivetting stuff, even for non-yachties.
Paulette Bainbridge
One second in a boat that size, we are the unofficial winners. Our little country once again takes on the world and came out winners. Good on them.
Barnacle (USA)
Opinions will vary as to whether the best team won. Personally, I believe the best team did not win the AC. Team New Zealand was built on a set of values by the great Peter Blake and as long as NZ adheres to those they will earn my support. Dalt's leadership displayed those values and NZ has much to be proud of.I'd be proud to be a Kiwi!
auckland
Great race great series would have liked it to be the other way around but next time it will be I guarantee it.Tnz did the whole country proud and we should all be proud of them. Shame that it was Alinghi who were actually defending not because they were Swiss not because it was in Europe. But because Enersto has got the Americas cup under the control that makes it that much harder for any country to compete. Trying to charge Valencia 150 million euros to stage the event in 2009 and having 100 per cent per cent ownership of the company that runs the cup and now long time loyal sponsors like louis vuitton wont even be able to afford to participate in the next cup. End of a golden era I think. As for you Europeans, had to exploit the kiwis to finally get the cup. Go and stand up to America yourselves. Go NZ and Aussie for doing it the hard way.
Auckland
Congratulations to Alinghi at the end of the day they won a hard fought final. Our team can hold their heads high as it was a well contested event. They gave it their best shot but unfortunately it wasn't meant to be this time.Yes I think the government should chip in an extra ten million. For all you people who obviously know nothing about marketing, this is a small price to pay for the amount of advertising we gain for NZ out of an event like this especially in Europe.Start looking at the bigger picture people, the gains far outway the losses.
Tore, Pukekohe
What a thriller of a cup! I was devastated this morning, and I still haven't had any sleep. I've watched every single race since the start 2,5 months ago. I've followed ETNZ every step of the way, and mark my words: You won't find better sportsmen anywhere in the world! I have never felt more proud after any sporting event, and I've only been a NZ resident for a year or so. Boat speed turned out to be the deciding factor, as always. Even Butterworth said it. SUI100 is 0.1 to 0.2 knots faster in most conditions. That makes the ETNZ effort even more amazing. Dean Barker has nothing more to prove - he IS the best helmsman out there. (Again, I've watched every single race). There are no losers in this cup. Well done Kiwis!! (Including the ones for sale on Alinghi)
Pethers in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
Congratulations to the Gallant effort of ETNZ. I am a New Zealander Living OS for a lot of years.LV said 99 per cent of the world doesn't even know what the Americas cup is... LV hasn't traveled very much ;-) There are people in this small Place that watched every race on TSN.ca (only place we could get it) at 5:30am. The ones I know of are Canadians, and US citizens and a couple of Aussies. I used to live in another small US town in the Mid West (600 People) and a lot of them knew the Kiwis had the Cup and were trying to win it back. (Oh I have to say some thought NZ was near Austria) :-( I think New Zealand should keep trying for the Cup for that is One of the many things that makes me proud to be a Kiwi .. We are in everything, and darn good at everything we do.. For a Small Nation our pride stands above all else ... ( Unless you sail for another country ) ;-)
Tim B (Auckland)
How could we not have another go for "our" cup. It blatantly obvious we are by far the most superior nation for sailing, I thinks its the only sport we truly excel at on the worlds stage, the America's cup would be lame without us. Good on the team this time round, we're proud, and in the end the Swiss didn't win, New Zealand won no matter what way you look at it, it was basically a NZ vs NZ America's cup.
David McMenamin
What a contest! Be gracious New Zealand and don't do Team New Zealand a disservice by being sore losers. They won fair and square..faster and slicker.Get used to professional sports and stop sounding like spoilt children when we get beat.We didnt lose, they beat us.
Ben, Auckland
Great effort boys, you all have made us so proud. How about we get more government spending on our America's Cup to ensure that we keep our excellent sailors. Brad Butterworth could lose a few pounds.
slicely (Bern, Switzerland)
Congrats, Team NZ. You did a great job. You are second best. Their can only be one winner. This time Alinghi was lucky and better. You ll get another chance. Winning and loosing is sports and live.
Allan
Yes they should have another crack at it.But lets change the rules first.The boat on the right is allowed to try and ram another boat. What's up with that?
David (Manila)
Has New Zealand forgotten that Bertarelli/Alinghi provided the initial funds of a few million dollars to get the Kiwi challenge going. The NZ sponsors and
government came in later. Gratitude?
Huia Gold Coast Aust
Good on Team New Zealand, they still sailed a hell of a race and all kiwis should be proud of these guys.Of course they should have another go next time around if that is the desire.Why not after all,it helps keep NZ on the tourist map. How many other nations the size of NZ are there, that are capable of putting excellent sailors in boats, including opposition boats and run races as thrilling as this last one.There must be a way of leveraging off all that talent. Look at the Aussies, they sailed off into the sunset years ago to lick their wounds and have never been seen since. Same thing will happen when the All Blacks get back into their flow and win the world cup. Who cares what the other teams are doing?
malcs (Auckland city)
Of course the best team won! I strongly believe that sailing and pursuits to win the Americas cup shouldn't recieve so much funding from the government. It is a sport that is not representative of the NZ population. Who and how many people in this country sail? Sailing is a rich mans sport enjoyed by very few in this country. The NZ government should be supporting sports/arts in this country that a) a greater number of people participate in and b) brings money into NZ in a way that it really flows onto all people in our society, not just to the already rich investors of the viaduct!
Ross (China)
Traitors? I wonder if Fiji and Tonga feel the same way when the ABs play against them?I seem to recall Messers Henry (Wales) and Hansen (Wales)also competed against New Zealand!Even keel Kiwis!!PS Enough of the Aussie envy thing... its embarrassing.
Nick from Sydney
You Guys should absolutly go again, I think NZ was the better team this time round but made some bad decisions at critical times. It amazing that such a small country can be up with the worlds best.
rossn
Only in New Zealand do socialist politicians use public funds to promote the rich man's sport of Americas Cup challenges. What hypocrites we elect. Why do we do it? Why do they?
Robert
Brad Butterworth New Zealands greatest sports person? What a joke. He is an arrogant traitor, people who say its just business annoy me would they say that if all our rugby players that went overseas competed against us in the world cup? The Americas cup is the world cup of sailing and if Butterworth and co. cant even show the smallest degree of loyalty to your country then they are not New Zealanders and should be disowned.
jonathan
What we saw with team NZ was a rare example of fantastic leadership, team effort and a tenacity to win, that is so rare in todays enviromnent. After watching the interviews of Grant Dalton when we first mooted the idea of making a challenge, I believed we had someone with the calibre to emulate Sir Peter Blake's success with Team NZ. We will win the Americas Cup at some stage; we have the ability, skills and leadership to make it happen as we demonstrated by our latest challenge. What we need is poelple with the balls (Government and sponsers) to support out team and see the job through.Its inevitable that at some point a team of 4 million is going to win. Very proud to be a Kiwi.
Nick from Sydney
You Guys should absolutly go again, I think NZ was the better team this time round but made some bad decisions at critical times. It amazing that such a small country can be up with the worlds best.
skylab North Harbour
I dont think Brad is anywhere near NZs best sportsman,He is a traitor just like the other four who went with him, I have no problems with NZs competing for other countries, but people seem to forget he ditched a team that he was part of to chase the big bucks, he wasnt out of work, no he jumped ship. Good luck to you Alinghi enjoy it before Oracle and Coutts take it from you.Go Kiwi!
Immigrant & Loyal
I have lived here for 12 years and embraced Kiwi sports totally. Yes the best team won. If there is another mountain to climb Kiwis will do it. We will challenge for the cup again. As for Butterworth, he is a great sportsman for Alinghi, for sailing. But to be declared NZ's greatest sailor he has to earn it sailing for the Kiwi flag. We are loyal
Wendy Stephenson
Brad Butterworth is definitely not one of NZ's best sportsman, if he was he would be representing New Zealand in the Americas Cup not a Swiss team.
Andy
The Kiwis still bleating on about Alingi's NZ contingent don't seem to mind foreign money being given to ETNZ, or people like Britain's Ben Ainslie sailing on the black boat.
Aussie (Melbourne)
Congratulations Kiwis on a brilliant effort. Quite a few of us Aussies very sad to see the result. Quite gut wrenching actually. I watched the telecast each night (sometimes to 3:00am) and I think it was their boat, at the end of the day, that got them over the line. Was a bit disappointed to hear so many Alinghi crew interviewed afterwards, "with kiwi accents". I am confident you will mount an excellent challenge and will win it the next time. Be proud.
Expatkiwi Downey (California)
The America's Cup technically isn't between countries, but foreign yacht clubs. That said, the America's Cup does have a tradition of national pride, and given New Zealand's pride in its maritime and sporting traditions, Mr. Buttersworth and his fellow New Zealanders who sailed for the Swiss did indeed 'cross the line'. A lot of people will never forgive them for doing so. It's something that they will have live with.
Mer, Madrid, Spain
The best team was Team New Zealand. It should make New Zealaders proud of their country. They never gave up, they fought hard, and they have behaved like true sportmen when they have not won. Maybe you don't realized from down under, but the marketing for New Zealand has been great. I don't think the same can be said for the Swiss and Alinghi.As for Brad B, It is obvious that he is not kiwi.What does it take to be a new zealander? Just to be born there?Thanks to Team New Zealand for their spirit and attitude. Treat them well now!
Mike from Whanga
Move on....this is NOT a NZ 'selected' team it is a Corporate team, and I have no issue with that but please stop blaming Coutts & Co for moving -would we have preferred to have Barker as skip with Butterworth, Coutts, Dickson, et al having to sit unable to compete? Learn what sports is about! What will we say when another of our well produced sports stars plays for another prof rugby team against the ABs -laugh? It will happen as sport moves global/fully professional. Not a fan of Brad personally but he did as he is entitled to do and he is not racing against a NZ rep team. It is just a name -is a racehorse named Team New Zealand an official NZ Rep..course bloody not!
Auckland
Should we have our team challenge for the cup again? Almost half Alinghi's crew are New Zealanders, we are the best sailors in the world and in a funny way we did win the cup, it just isn't coming home this time. Let us make sure it arrives back on our shores in 2011 for the economic benefits and our countries ever growing sporting prowess.
Well wisher (Timaru)
Hey you knockers of Dean Barker, you don't know what a "helmsman" is. He is not the decision maker, the tactician is. Dean maneuvers the yacht as Ed Baird did his on the advice of their tacticians! We all know Butterworth is tremendous and he proved a fraction (only) better than our Terry.All the boys did well and won the Louis Veitton Cup which was a wonderful accomplishment. I hope they have another go in 2 years.
Jason
When will Telecom or AirNZ front up and pay Butterworth whats he worth to stay in Team NZ. In the commercial world it is up to our best corporates to sponsor our best sports people. I do not understand why Emirates has our spinnaker and Alinghi has our sailors.
Next