KEY POINTS:
Graham (Auckland)
If the Govt had not stumped the $34m or so for this campaign, it is very unlikely that Team NZ would have been able to continue. Because they were able to continue, the NZ Govt were able to receive payroll tax and GST income on Team NZ's activities, which apparently has made it a cash neutral investment. Arguably, therefore, this campaign did not, in fact, cost the NZ Govt. any money at all. Those with the view that spending money on America's Cup campaigns is wrong when there are needy people or causes in NZ have a point, however, if you want to take that view, you should also challenge Govt. spending on any sport, for example the competitors sent to the Olympics. How about TVNZ? Which is more important - hospital beds or TV entertainment? Or perhaps the arts? If you apply that logic, huge swathes of govt. spending can be called into question.
One final thought. The Govt. spent $34m on Team NZ, and got all or most of it back. Detractors say spending on Team NZ is wrong. The Govt. (before the last election) spent $800m on Labour's 'promise card' and other electioneering, and got none of it back. Interesting isn't it?
Nobody in particular
What a waste of money. I will never understand why such dedicated importance is placed in sporting events that do nothing beneficial at ground zero, and by ground zero I mean the protection of our children, the healthcare of our families, the education of our children and many many many other varied causes that are in desperate need of government attention. It's just a game, it's just a race, it's not life or death, it's not crucial to the big picture. Why New Zealand? What happened to us and why does rugby and sailing come before everything else?
Sylvia
It's true, we didn't win the cup but that didn't stop Team New Zealand from winning the hearts and the support of New Zealanders. I for one am unequivocally proud of their efforts and their unwavering commitment. I take my hat off to Grant Dalton for what he has done and how he has done it. The man has integrity, humility and honour; rare qualities which are also reflected in the exceptional team culture that he has instilled and nurtured. While we didn't win the cup, I am quietly hopeful that he has inspired others with his style of leadership. It's infinitely more attractive (and sustainable) than what we're seeing elsewhere. What a wonderful role model!
Christian
No Dick Hubbard, they are neither winners or heroes - they are professional sportsmen who are just doing their (very well paid) jobs. To try and somehow put these guys on the same level as someone like Corporal Bill Apiata is a disgrace.
Chris (Auckland)
As a competitive yacht racer I have to put my emotions aside and look at this objectively. 10 million doesn't go far in advertising. NZ trade and enterprise has done a great job leveraging off their support for TNZ. Sound investment. The America's Cup started as a race between "billionaires" and it still is. Get over it. Nationality rules will never again be what they once were, if they were, we'd probably see different results. Team New Zealand's sponsors, including the New Zealand Government got great value for their spend. Team New Zealand have been great ambassadors for our country, our people and our technology industries. Whilst minority sports have to take the begging bowl to SPARC, it is also fair to say they just don't offer the same commercial opportunities. Government and sponsor funding into TNZ is an investment with quantifiable returns. Well done Grant, Dean and the boys, good effort, big come back since 2003, much learnt that can be applied next time. Let's not be like the Aussies, slinking off home with our tails between our legs!
Wayne
So will the traitors on Alinghi be welcomed home or should they be treated like John Hart when he came back to NZ without the world cup? I say tell them to go and live in their adopted country and spit on the ground they have walked on.
Kiwi (Valenica)
I cannot believe that after everything that has happened there are still people out there calling the Kiwis on board Alinghi traitors. It is sport, not war! Most of you won't realise, but there is a large number of current Team NZ sailors who sail with Russell Coutts on a regular basis and are very likely to follow him to Oracle if he goes - at the end of the day most of them do if for the money - not to be loyal to their public. Excellent racing between Team NZ and Alinghi, pity some of the journalism didn´t reflect that.
Margaret
We must be very proud of the crew of our boat, they sailed the best the could at the time. We need to maybe change the design of the boat to suit the different conditions over there compared to NZ waters. Hold your heads up high as you got beaten by nothing else but 'money'. Are the tight five going to sell themselves to the highest bidder again?
Bubkiwi
So they lost and the NZ Government is giving them $10million to the next challenge on top of the $34million already given to them. Typical, giving money for the rich mans game while that money would be better spent on housing for ordinary NZers or health etc.
Keith
I don't want to ever give my hard earn dollars to those wombles again, sack the skipper Barker, he is a clown his record suggest so. He makes too many mistakes and get the best in Coutts to race for NZ. That's if he will ever want too.
Psyclops (Whakatane)
Well done both teams. There is no national team selection so really does not represent the country, therefore there should be no government funding for Team NZ.
Jason Mc (Australia)
Get over it. Oz won this thing way back in 1983 in New York. When it was near impossible. That win gave everyone else the chance to compete on a much fairer playground now. 5-2 is a fair flogging. And if nationalities are so dear, and means you want it that Kiwis can only sail on Kiwi yachts - can you make the same rule for Australia in general? And take back your 400,000? No need to mention your AB captain, missed tackles and the rugby I assume. Hard for McCaw to perform when rules are enforced hey?
Swiss/Kiwi (Colorado)
As a born Swiss, but naturalized New Zealander I am disappointed about today's loss. Clearly not the better team won. But then this is sport in boxing they call it a lucky punch. Clearly the New Zealand Government needs to support Team New Zealand again regardless if it is Labour or National. The Swiss just don't get it they accuse the Kiwis of being nationalistic but who is more nationalistic then the Swiss with their cowbells. The headline should have read American shepherd by a bunch of kiwis wins the America's cup with an Italian born Swiss passenger for team Alinghi. Calling Switzerland a Sailing Nation is just rubbish. For Bertarelli to say he learned more this time then over the last years is bull. I am sure Butterworth is staying with Bertarelli as he is well aware of the Russell Coutts clause. Bring back the nationality rule or drop the flags. Dalton, Barker, Hutchinson and CO have done New Zealand proud. Let's look after them.
Nsa180
In the grand scheme of things, $10 million for two years of 'Team NZ' promotion for New Zealand Tourism looks like a good deal given the scale of the coverage and interest in a European based America's Cup. $10 million NZ could not buy the press, TV and other media coverage this gets. We can all highlight places to spend this money but in many cases the issues highlighted need to be better managed with what they have firstly, and then potentially spend some of the surplus revenue already held.
Richard
Well, another Cup over. I have been watching and supporting NZ since 1987. The parallels are interesting if you look back at our history in the Cup.
1987 heart break with Stars + Stripes dealing to KZ7
The Big Boat challenge - More anguish
1991 - Cayard and the Italian challenge broke our hearts 5-3 after leading 3-1!
1995 - Huge success!! Team NZ came of age.
2000 - We defend!
2003 - A Swiss billionaire buys Team NZ (shame) and the Cup goes to Europe. Team NZ in tatters but the country is stronger than this!
2007 - Glory days revisited. Team NZ this was an incredible journey. You had our hearts in your hands and I for one could not be prouder to be a kiwi, and of your collective efforts. Job well done.
Next Cup - Team NZ wins, no worries on this one.
Wayne (Auckland)
Team New Zealand LOST by 5-2. That's an absolute trouncing. So why is the majority of New Zealand singing their praises? The All Blacks stumble at the final hurdle World Cup and they are pilloried by the media. It is fitting that this Labour government immediately goes out and commits $10,000,000 to already rich people for venture that has failed ignominiously two times. After all this is the government which trashed our educational system and promotes the idea that participation and mediocrity are all that counts. And $10,000,000 is one third of Pharmac's annual budget for cancer drugs. Sick.
Andrew Collins, proud New Zealander (Auckland)
I am so very, very proud to be a New Zealander today. The America's Cup racing has finished but one thing is clear: It has been one hell of a series - the best in the Auld Mug's history some pundits say and Team New Zealand should be proud. The America's Cup is the "Lord of the Rings" of sailing and once again, little New Zealand punches well above its weight. Winning the Louis Vuitton series is monumental in itself and for that alone, Team New Zealand should be honoured with a heroes' welcome back to New Zealand. All I need to know is who to send my support for a ticker-tape parade to. These guys just need capes they are superheroes. Well done lads.
Gail Morris
I am very proud of Team New Zealand they did well The teams were well matched and the Americas cup is always exciting to watch. Yes, do another America's Cup guys. It's not all about winning its about the challenge of trying to win and its always a bonus if you do in any sport. Go Kiwis.
Jennie
Yes we should try again in 3 /4 years time for the cup. The boys have done New Zealand proud.
pCb (Auckland)
We lost but this time buckets weren't necessary nor did a mast snap - pity the truly national sport of New Zealand (the blood letting of the tall poppy) is gearing up for a good season. On one level, it is after all a sport - no one died, the worst of it was having our attention diverted from things that truly matter. At the higher level we are told people noticed little old NZ was there. No doubt if Dalton stays in charge we go back with a few more clues and a better battle plan. Before you doomsayers choke on your coffee NZ was there as just like the Ferrari F1 team which is made up of the usual United Nations that is F1, Ferrari is identified as the 'Italian' team. What then is so bad about a team being known as Emirates Team New Zealand. Yachting is not the only New Zealand sporting code to have borrowed other nationalities and corporations from outside of NZ (no one complains about the Adidas sponsored All Blacks do they?)
Chris (Gold Coast)
Congratulations Team New Zealand. You did us proud. If that spinnaker had not split I'm sure it would have been a different result. So Team NZ was beaten by Allingi & NZ. We beat Oracle NZ and all the other teams with Kiwis on board! Grant you have nothing to be ashamed of. You guys did well and it shows that the Swiss have taken on the same unsportsmanship manner as the Yanks. Now that you have security of financial backing let's plan now for the next challenge. I agree with other sentiments that each country should only have resident nationals from their own country both as yachtsmen and designers etc. That would truly show which nation are the best sailors. Perhaps there should also be a maximum financial limit placed on which team also. Hold your heads up high guys, you showed you are equal to anything the world has to offer.
Auckland
If they contest again for the Americas Cup, NZ Government will be spending millions of dollars on it. I don't think it is a good idea doing it. Looking at New Zealand's situation we are in a worse situation economically where we are spending (importing) more then what we are selling (exporting). US dollars against NZ Dollars is at its high. Keep the money which will spent on Team NZ within NZ and spend it wisely within NZ.
Kaos
Alinghi now World Class Pirates!
SF
With Bertarelli's plans of "re-vamping" the Americas Cup it'll turn into a circus at best. I won't ever be the same, it will never have the same recognition again. It'll become a cheap and nasty playground for the rich and famous - certainly not worthy of an entry from New Zealand.
Nancy
Thank you Dean and the guys. You have restored our sailing pride. You may have lost but at least you fought to the end. Awesome Kiwi spirit, awesome Kiwi guys. Good luck for next time.
Sarah
I am so proud of our boys - they accomplished so much and gave their best. It's so sad to read the detractors, when it's really all about giving it your best shot. This event has brought our nation together in a way that few other things ever do, so why not let them have their moment, even if we didn't get over the last hurdle. I can't wait to see them have another go - where can I make my donation, along with the Government? The next one is ours - thanks Dean!
Ali (Auckland)
You can hold your head high guys. I'm immensely proud to be a Kiwi as I know you all are. It was in no way a walkover and this in itself is reason enough to try again hopefully in 2009.
Ian
Good on you boys, you did so well. Grant Dalton and Dean Barker are the men. So gracious in defeat! Take note Mr Henry!. I hope that there is a ticker tape celebration for the boys on their return with the Louis Vuitton Cup. Here's to the next America's Cup.
Paula
Well done to Team New Zealand, they have done a great job. They are still winners no matter what and they have done us proud by putting New Zealand on the map.
Rosina
Yes the best team won on the day, and no I don't think the Government should be giving $10m of tax payer money to fund further challenger development, races or whatever. This is a commercial venture, not a public one. In terms of return on investment, how does one measure that in a tangible form anyway to the NZ public, not just a select minority.
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