KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier selection of Your Views:
Kiwi in Dublin
I was in Valencia during the first races of the LV Cup semi's. I stayed with a kiwi friend who worked for one of the other syndicates. Not once did I hear or see any bad behaviour by other fellow kiwi supporters. Nor did my friend comment on anything he had seen either. I think Mr B. is a little worried the cup has a chance to head back down-under. This is by no means a certainty, but lets hope it becomes reality. As to a comment made by a Kiwi in Valencia likening Kiwis to that of Chelsea supporters - get off the grass mate! being at the FA Cup final was a real eye opener for a little kiwi boy like me when it comes to passionate/crazy support. Without the kiwi support there the place would be dead as was the case during the semis. Go get em' boys!
Loretta
Poor Bertarelli, his boys have been insulted, I do feel so sorry for them (not). Law of the universe. What goes around comes around, For every action there is an opposite reaction, so tell them to toughen up, They are lucky that our boys have been so totally professionals and any insult has come from drunken louts who should be ashamed of themselves not because the insults are unjustified but because it brings shame on our boys and our country (shame on you) our boys that have worked so hard to make NZ proud with their professional attitude I honor them, Just as much as being irrespirable enough to send a few insults to Alinghi. Little NZ rats.
Kiwi in Los Angeles
Kiwi fans have every right to take the higher moral ground in support of their team. It is a national event. The teams represent nations that are the ethic and moral of the America's Cup. If some teams, are paying millions to buy and corrupt New Zealand talent to go against the ethics of what the Cup stands for, national pride, then I think a little wake up for the opposing national teams and the traitor sell-outs is justified. People operate on love, and if they have betrayed their country and people, then it has to be known. Love of country will prevail in all things good. I don't appreciate some multinational conglomerates in Valencia, trying to take away the ocean, our New Zealand identity, from us. I think we can always put more pressure on the opposing teams to reduce their right to win.
KiwiTalon
Team NZ don't make the news because of brawls or domestics or pub incidents (unlike rugby). Our fans should respect that and I bet 98% of them do. A few ruin it as always but in time they will learn. I respect that Alinghi will make it difficult but thats why I will enjoy a victory much much more should ETNZ be winners at the end of the regatta. If we win then let it be a clean slate and enjoy the time we will have the cup. Jeez its been a long 4 years. Go ETNZ (and thanks Luna Rossa for all the battles you have given us).
Adam (Palmerston North)
Its time to get over the fact that Russell Coutts and Co. left Team New Zealand. Just like Bertarelli said, its been 7 years now, move on. By winning the Louis Vuitton Cup we have already proved we are still an awesome team without them, and if we can go on to beat Alinghi, then we can say fair and square we can do it without them.I'm not saying I support teams like Alinghi or Oracle which have little or no national pride, but just be grateful we still do.
London
Haven't been to Valencia so can't make informed comment on that issue. But God forbid kiwis overseas show a bit of national pride and patriotism. The kiwis that went over to Alinghi were not, as one writer suggested, struggling to break into TNZ. They were the heart of the team and sold out for the cold hard cash. They deserve every bit of derision they get. As for the one whingeing about the Herald not always calling it "Emirates" Team New Zealand, should we refer to the ABs as the Addidas All Blacks? Or, based on Mr B's loan and other cash, maybe it should be Alinghi Team New Zealand.There have always been a few drunk kiwis that make fools of themselves overseas, the same as every other nation has. Have done it myself a time or two. The embarrassing ones are those that believe NZers are somehow more superior, better behaved and can claim the moral high ground over other nations. Didn't Hitler have a similar attitude? However, I will be at the Rugby World Cup wearing black and flying my flag with pride and (possibly drunken) passion. If that's embarrassing to some, give up your citizenship and move to a country where national sporting prowess doesn't seem so important.
Mickles (Sydney)
We love and admire our athletes. Whether it's the All Blacks, Team NZ or any other national side they're adored and respected for their incredible success. The least we can do to honour their success and to uphold NZ's reputation is to be successful supporters. Support with dignity. Our beloved All Blacks and Team NZ make us proud to be kiwis, let's make them proud of their supporters!
Terry Tightpants
I have recently arrived in London and will be attending Valencia for the America's Cup finals. My intention, upon arrival, is to get drunk, real drunk (we will be bringing a beer bong onto the supporters' boats). Does this make me a bad person? No, I'm just doing what NZ fans do at events like this. Wrongly or rightly, this is part of our culture (just like bull fighting is in Spain). Having been a NZ taxpayer up until recently, I have a vested interest in this event, and have as much right to be there as Alinghi's financial backer Bertarelli. I can't really feel sorry for those who left team NZ for Alinghi either. I'm sure the financial package they got on signing up would certainly soften the impact of any abuse copped.
Kiwi working at AC venue
I have been working at the venue for 3 years. I think people need to remember that such carry on with comments between teams is par for the course in America's Cup and Mr Dalton is giving as much as Mr Bertarelli, for example, Mr Daltons comments re NZers working in other teams. Also remember the press is short of news at the moment and maybe looking for an 'angle'. The majority of NZ supporters are great people and here because they are very interested in the America's Cup and ETNZ. I have seen the loud, drunk and abusive new arrivals and avoid them. Locals seem intrigued and amazed, but they have seen such behaviour with some English tourists and football supporters before. Contrary to some comments from others living here, the Spanish have a fascination with NZ as a country and support the team, I think more than Alinghi in part because the Spanish Challenge lost to NZ and enjoyed that semi-final so much. There is no guarantee the Cup will be here in Valencia next time if Alinghi wins, best guess is it will be put up to auction again.
Stell
I am thoroughly ashamed of my New Zealand countrymen and women's loutish behaviour in Valencia.
Bogmailer (Christchurch)
I seriously doubt many Kiwi fans have behaved badly in Valencia. Over exuberance and too much sangria might give some offence to onlookers wanting to stir up controversy but at least we care enough to show up and support our team.
It is sad Alinghi's Ernesto, who is by all accounts a reasonable man, feels some unintentional slight from "Team Toughs" success on the water. The tone and the sportsmanship at this AC has been very civilised indeed and most of us hope, win or lose this continues through to the end and the winner is worthy.
DC
Good on ya Kiwi supporters. It's a shame that some billionaire bloke with a big yacht gets jealous of Kiwi's who know how to party. It shows his big yacht makes up for his short& sight!
Keep supporting Team NZ - why not! Whatever team wins, they nearly all have a Kiwi or two in them anyway! But it would be great to have the old mug back here - one hell of a boost to the economy! Go TNZ!
Pooh
Sounds like the Kiwis are having a great time over there, nothing wrong with a bit of excess when your having fun. Who are these people who want to keep a level head all the time, what were they doing out after dark. Can't believe an American is worried about having abuse hurled at them, better than bombs love. I reckon the one throwing up though was an Aussie pretending to be a Kiwi when he got drunk - they always do that. And there is nothing wrong with highlighting to the ex-Kiwi team that they sold out our years of nurturing and training from the yacht clubs in NZ for some filthy lucre. With a bit of luck the cup will be in a suitcase in no time and it will be the Euros who will be throwing up some quality Leon Rouge down the viaduct in 2010.
Desert Kiwi (Dubai)
I hate hearing news about Kiwis degrading themselves overseas. They are ambassadors for our country, especially in events as high-profile as the America's Cup. Personally I think it typifies an extension of the tall-poppy syndrome which manifests itself in awful ways sometimes. Deakers Black Heart campaign in 2003 was the most pathetic, degrading and disgusting display of it I've seen to date. Unfortunately some people take this kind of thing seriously. We're a small country that punches above it's weight - lets celebrate that, rather than acting like a bunch of tossers.
Bernie (Glasgow)
I don't really think we have to worry or be ashamed about a handful of drunken kiwis in Spain. Thousands of drunken Brits and Germans are holidaying there so a few Kiwis wont stand out. These critics of our fans should relax and try and enjoy the whole spectacle.
Rusty
If what I hear coming from Valencia is true, the Kiwis are acting shamefully. There is no need for this kind of behaviour in the sport of sailing. Are we there to win back the cup or take shots at our foes? But, that being said, if Bertarelli spent as much time on his syndicate as he does whining and snivelling to the world about the behaviour of a vocal minority, then he would have a much better chance of winning the cup.
Loretta (Nassau)
Sad to read about drunken behaviour from some of our Kiwi support group. Come on guys and girls make our guys proud, they have been so very professional and they do not need you lot to spoil things for them.
Re: the rats that abandoned ship, yes it has been a long time go, but hurt feelings last a long time and there is a lot of us that got hurt eight years ago. They are now feeling the end results of their actions. Tell them to toughen up. They have had pocket full of money, we shall have our little revenge, no I shall amend that, we have had our little revenge, because even if by some luck Alinghi will win, our guys have already won by a long shot. Of course it will be a double joy if we get that Cup to NZ, so please Kiwi in Valencia, stop your boozing till you get back home.
Chris (Colorado, USA)
Go Team New Zealand. Of course this is gamesmanship from Ernesto Bertarelli - he is an extremely wealthy and smart businessman/sportsman and he knows that New Zealand teams have let controversy affect their sailing at several America's Cups in the past (the fibreglass boat controversy in 1987 and the 1992 bow spit challenge) - so he is simply seeking an advantage. He also needs to understand d that Russell and Brad et al's actions in 'jumping ship' won't be easily forgotten. They discounted the loyalty of a country, their own words ("Team New Zealand", "25-year dynasty") and the considerable economic benefits to New Zealand of hosting the America's Cup - and put their own wealth first. They are fine sailors who want to be paid extremely well but simply put they let the country down. However, drunken, abusive behaviour by any Kiwi is just not on. Every Kiwi in Valencia needs to act as if they are an ambassador for our country - because you are!
Teik Ee (Malaysia)
Bertaralli has just got to wake up to reality that this is a inter-country type competition. And that's stemming from the fact that the winning team brings home the competition (and which winning team has not done that, except for Alinghi, whose home is landlocked). When you have such nationalistic teams competing, it is no surprise that Kiwis competing for an opposing team gets unfavourable reactions from a proud little New Zealand population. Can you imagine Federer playing for US Davis Cup team or Beckham for Spain (if citizenship is waived)?
Vegas
What a load of rubbish! It's all part of Adingy's counter campaign because they don't have any fans. I have been in Valencia for Acts 13,13 and LV semis and finals and have seen nothing but good natured support for ETNZ.
Jeremy (England)
I was in Valecnia for the final two races of the Louis Vuitton series and saw no animosity towards Alinghi or Luna Rossa fans or team members. Because of 2003, Alighi will always be a team NZ fans will love to hate, however I think it is important to remember that these few do not represent the country or the team sailing in the event.
NZer abroad
It is shameful to say the least reading about the drunken and unsportmanship behaviour of some Kiwis in Valencia. We are renown worldwide for our friendly and good sporting nature, and for some to ruin this image, especially at a high profile event like the America's Cup, is disappointing. Unfortunately, there remains that group of young, first-time away from home, slugging back the alcohol types, that spoil it for the rest of us. It happens every year at the ANZAC memorial weekend in Turkey as well.
Chris
Alinghi's Bertarelli like Larry Ellison, thinks that only money and power can win the America's Cup. When it does not turn out that way, they panic. That is why they loose. They are not sportsman. Long live Team New Zealand.
Andrew
Sorry, Simon, but you're talking rubbish. The America's Cup is not about nationality. Show me on a map where Prada and BMW Oracle are! It is about companies, wealthy individuals, and, at a push, individual yacht clubs (e.g. the New York Yacht Club). There is no way you can compare this to the All Blacks. Team New Zealand would be nothing without foreign input (mostly financial).
sails auckland
How precious can the billionaire get! He needs to get a life. A bit of them and us banter between fans is all part of the show and if you can put the opposition team off all the better. Next he will be complaining New Zealand doesn't show him the respect he deserves for being born with a silver spoon in his mouth.Go the fans.
Tony
Reading the comments about Kiwis visting Valencia because of the Cup - I am ashamed to think that there are some Kiwis visiting who are behaving like non compos 'guttersnipes'- letting themselves and New Zealand down at an awesome Sporting event - which has so far been conducted in a robust but fair manner by all the contestants and their supporters.They should 'shape up'or be shipped out.
Rob
air enough people having a go at the probably five Kiwi's in Valencia who are partying a tad hard and dishing out a bit of stick... but Bertarelli's labeling Kiwis bad sports is just gamesmanship from someone who is used to getting what he wants in life - usually by paying for it. It's smoke and mirrors and nothing else.
Raj Subramanian
I was watching the 2003 cup in Auckland Viaduct.It was a bad miscalculation of the new "Hull". Now there is nothing to stop you guys from winning the cup.I wish everything well for you to bring back the Americas Cup home. You have already won against Luna Rossa by a thumping 5-0. Alinghi should be different cup of tea. But I am sure they will be beaten by Team NZ with great margin.Cheers Cheers Cheers. Come-on 23/24th!
Toby
I think Bertarelli has missed the point. He may have changed the nationality rule but he can't change our patriotism or passion for Team NZ. I believe most kiwis see team NZ as our "national" team, and so they should. There has been a lot of time and money invested into this team by New Zealanders and I for one feel ripped off and betrayed by those who jumped ship for the money. I'm sure Russell, Butterworth and co were not living on the breadline! I think that it's awesome that kiwis would travel so far to support our team. We are simply out-numbering the Swiss supporters and I think that we are getting into their heads. There are probably a few supporters behaving badly and giving the opposition heaps, but that is no different to any other sporting competitions! I'm not saying that this behaviour is right, but this is nothing new in the sporting environment. Bertarelli and his team need to just take it on the chin and harden up because he is taking on a Team NZ of 4 million plus! To all the kiwis in Valencia, keep up the awesome work!
Hussain
In the last cup, Alinghi's boss comments on the "Loyal" campaign has been used to make his team even tougher as they won 5 nil. Big and publicised opinions have always been part of the America's Cup and hence it should be treated and dealt with in a professional manner by Team NZ, hence it won't affect them badly. It seems that Team NZ is doing it quietly in this cup and hope it will work for them.
Dave
Kiwi supporters should refrain from any type of odd behaviour as it will only get back to Helen who will in turn ban all yachting in NZ under the no more fun bill which she will pass through parliament.
David, (Auckland)
Come on Kiwis in Valencia. Cheer like hell for Grant, Dean and the boys and go stone silent for Alingi on their way in and out and on the water. It's good manners and the silence will speak volumes! Seems Team ENZ can muster more supporters than the Italian Swiss European whatever he is. How many millions versus our four. On the basis of support of their team ENZ has won hands down. Keep up the great work Dean, Grant and team and yes be worried Mr B - You might be earning Air Miles again very soon!
Simon
People keep harping on about rugby players leaving the country to play for overseas clubs, what they need to remember is that no current All Black has ever left the All Blacks and been paid to play for another country before, club yes but country no. Coutts and Butterworth were paid to leave a national sailing team to sail for another one; this was after they crapped on about NZ being able to defend the cup for decades to come. The worst thing is that the money brought their expertise in sailing as well as the valuable information that took Team New Zealand over 20 years to learn and perfect, poof gone in a blink of an eye. As a proud kiwi I found it unbelievable that a few million bucks could buy the Americas Cup. Bring in the nationality rule, if you don't get picked for your national team you would go into a pool for the other nations to pick from, this way you wouldn't be missing out on any job opportunity! Then let's see some billionaire try to win the cup with his money!
Sam Owen (Sydney)
Welcome to the wonderful world of Kiwis in Europe. I was doing OE for around 9 years and ran a travel company in London for Kiwis/Aussies/Japanese going to events in Europe and without exception, the most embarrassed I have ever been is by seeing the behaviour of my NZ brethren. Give them cheap booze and drugs and they are out of control! Is it a lack of true global identity that makes them overcompensate? Binge drinking - sure - but lots of cultures binge drink without the need to seek attention seek in the rudest and vilest ways. Is it an island mentality where real tolerance and acceptance of other cultures and standards are limited? Don't kid yourself NZ, you are as narrow minded as the Auckland isthmus. I was in Malaysia once where a NZ couple on the way back from France hated the French "just speaking French".
Leaving NZ made me realise there was more than the All Blacks (who I still follow fanatically) and Team NZ and that if you take them out of the equation NZ is, consistently over time, on a par with Paraguay in terms of global achievement. Lovely place NZ. Always in my heart, but way, way too staunch. Time to grow up -sorry.
Trevor, Expat, (NSW, Australia)
Whoa! Isn't there still 9 races to go? Settle down you lot, we have choked to many times before on the international stage to be too cocky. Sail hard and may TNZ win :-)
Andy J
I think that Ernesto is very surprised with the amount of support for ETNZ. He was always expecting some support but not what almost seems to be a home town advantage level of support. I have set up a ETNZ supporters page on myspace, please visit and leave messages of support before I hand it over to the team: www.myspace.com/teamnz
Arron
Can't comment specifically on kiwi behaviour in Valencia, but having spent a number of years overseas the comments about bad behaviour are not surprising. It seems that a large number of kiwis have an automatic "dickhead" switch that activates as soon as they climb off an international flight. These guys suddenly transform from being good, down-to-earth, humble blokes into arrogant, "look at me I'm the first kiwi ever to go overseas", obnoxious jerks. Kiwis have to remember that our country is not really worth much on the international stage and that you are not that special just because you come from here. We are now taking over the "big-noter" reputation from the Aussies.
Ex-pat Kiwi (Vancouver)
Kiwis carry on like this over here in Canada as well. They think they own the ski fields. We love to tell the world how sophisticated we are as sports followers don't we? We're pretty up ourselves, but in reality we suck at good sportsmanship and most of us know it but are too cocky to honestly say it. Look at how our crowds behave at Eden Park?
Marty
I think the Allinghi boss is just trying to distract Team New Zealand sailors by bringing up this red herring. To the sailors on Team NZ please focus on the prize and bring the cup home. As for the NZ sailors on Alinghi they deserve some stick after all they they left as a group for the money and took with them all the Team NZ intellectual property with them. How would NZers feel if Dan Carter, R McCall and 10 other All Blacks decided to sell out and play for Japan at the world cup(I know rules prevent this but imagine if this was possible we would be outraged and would rightly call them traitors- well this is what most people feel about Butterworth and co - Traitors).
Westie
I think Ernie Bertie(the new name for the top boss of Alinghi) is getting worried that he may loose the Americas Cup after holding onto it for only one term. Maybe he has learnt some things off Dennis Connor. If so, it shows what a poor loser he is. Perhaps because he has had his way in so many things in the past is his reason to taking his anger out on ETNZ. He could be attempting to demoralise ETNZ in the lead up to the main races. NZ has had to deal with far larger foes (e.g. Gallipoli) in past years than a greedy billionaire stuck in a landlocked country. Oh well, his loss, NZ's gain. At least the NZ fans do not behave like the football hooligans that cause considerable problems in European countries.
Curious Tikobum (Australia)
I'm surprised that the Europeans have a category for judging let alone categories for classifying humans. Perhaps the Europeans haven't understood Hegel's dialectic in its three stages. I cannot believe a modernistic comment such as the Europeans have made is possible in postmodern Europe. I think the Kiwi should take a bow because postmodern Eurpoe is still yet to understand their own context. Sounds like a cry baby to me and a worried foe. Thank god for the treaty, it at least made NZ one people unlike Europe or even Australia where I've lived the past 26 years. Kind of get a look in from the outside when it comes to comments made about my beloved New Zealand. I think its going to be a great year in sport for New Zealand. It seems almost unfair considering there is hardly anyone there to begin with. Once again David will kick Goliath's fat ass and bring the bacon home to Mum.
Real Kiwi
I'm quiet sure toffee-nosed yachties wouldn't appreciate a drunken lot giving them a verbal spray. What you're probably getting is a whole lot of patriotic Kiwi supporters from all walks of life, clashing with the rich and toffee-nosed. Not that I condone giving abuse to other national teams supporters, but I would probably give those from NZ sailing for Alinghi the finger too. Just imagine the uproar if Dan Carter went and played for the Aussies.
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