KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier selection following this morning's closely fought victory:
Brent (East Coast Bays)
Well done ETNZ!! Awesome victory, well worth staying up for! Russell Coutts was very informative and insightful on the commentary team.
Kiwis in Bangkok. Sukhumvit Soi 8 Pub
Congratulations. Fantastic win. Even the non-kiwis, non-sailing crowd got involved.Glad we stayed on with the late start. Expect a good crowd to turn out for this evening race.Make it 3-1.
Rusty
Awesome going guys! Don't listen to Alinghi's pathetic bleatings about the weather, Bertarelli has obviously found out that all the money in the world won't make the wind blow his way. Keep up the pressure and they'll fall apart like a house of cards. Bring it home kiwis, Hoo-rah!
Dan Sloan
About time that we stopped the 'America's Cup yachting is Formula One on water' metaphors - there is actually lead changes in the America's Cup. Stunning race, fantastic stuff.
Diane (California)
What an amazing race! We were on the edge of our seats. Keep it up and bring the Cup back to somewhere that appreciates its real charm. We're pulling for you!
Paul Check
Race 3 was absolutely the best Americas Cup race ever.Well done to Dean and the Crew for delivering a nail biter, keeping the faith and delivering the goods.
Its a good day to be a Kiwi!
Phyl from Timaru
I just had to watch this one and boy was it worth it! Have been up for each race but loving every minute even at 2am or 4am in the morning.Great going team and all the best for tonights race.
Pete Metcalfe(Japan)
GO you bloody beautys!!!, give em a taste of Kiwi! All Japanese yachties are behind team NZ also.
Mary (Auckland)
Go New Zealand!! I've been wondering all day who won! Thanks for that get story NZ Herald I was able to feel the spirit of the race!
Matt
best of luck to all
Team NZ rocks.
Tim (Tokyo, Japan)
Every time Kiwis hit the international stage they prove a point and they make us proud, but this one rates right up there! Thank goodness for internet radio! Even without pictures, with Peter and Russell's commentary I was transfixed. Looking forward to seeing the Auld Mug back in the cabinet next time I am home.
Rob H (Dubai UAE)
Well done, to all the crew on and off the boat. You are a team of great strength and character. Again you have proven that a race is not over until the end. You make me proud to be a Kiwi with your courage. Win or loose you are symbol of what it is to be a New Zealander. We here in UAE are all proud of your achievements and will support you till the end. Keep it Up.
Pat [Canada]
Amazing, But I did ask you guys for no more heart attacks, no more please, Absolutly fantastic job today, not quiet sure how you pulled it off, but thats why you guys are sailing the boat and not me, Congratulations again guys, am hoping for the same result tommorrow, good luck.
PJ Too
Go Emirates team New Zealand. Modest in the win, gracious in the defeat and an un-paralleled tenacity to hang in and complete the task. This is the real kiwi spirit on show for the world to see. ETNZ You are all doing us proud.
Jackrussell (Akld)
You guys are doing an awesome job! We are behind you all the way - win or loose. Hang in there and bring home the cup to akld - where it belongs.
Plunger
We absolutely can win. Alinghi are good, they have a good boat, and a great crew. But Brad Butterworth lacks one essential element -- Russell Coutts. Everytime Brad makes a decision now, it's all him. There's no Russell to inform him, support him, or deny him, or change his mind. It's all Brad, all the time, and although he is a canny sailor, he is now virtually alone. Despite his exceptional team and afterguard, the magic is gone. Russell is somewhere else. Brad is sailing solo. We will see.
Norm (San Francisco)
Congratulations TNZ
You've made a whole bunch of mistakes, you are lucky to win because Butterworth made the last mistake, by not covering. That lee-bow at the last upwind leg, similar to Alinghi's in Race 2, could have been your doom. You were on starboard tack !! Just go straight to the left lay line. You must sail better to have a chance. You must cut down on these mistakes to beat them. Go Go Go TNZ!
Steph, Auckland - next holders of the Americas Cup
I couldn't wake up this morning and missed what was obviously the best race ever. And am I getting flack from workmates and friends for not making the effort :o(. Good on you ETNZ, you have made us all very proud whether you bring the cup home or not. I will definitely be getting up tomorrow morning come hell or high water :o)
Fran (Brisbane, Australia)
Missed the preview on TV this morning (27/6/07, Aus time). Amazing, we seem to be getting quite a bit of feed back (about time) on Tv & write-ups in the paper. All I can say, is, go Team NZ, let it happen, go for it, never look back. Faith & pride are with you everyday, the NZ people and allies are embracing you. Cheers, God be with you all.
Ian Latham (Atlanta)
All power to Grant, Dean and the team. All power to the shore crews who make it all possible. You are sailing brilliantly. You have proven that you can overcome the worst possible events. You are brave. You are risk takers who use judgment first. Your power is your respect for each other and your ability to work together. You are one, as team. You will earn your victories. Be strong. Steady state!
Allan King
Never, in the field of human endeavour, has so few, achieved so much, in the spirit of sportsmanship . He who fears being conquered is sure of defeat. May the God of the sea, smile upon you all, and shift the breeze to your sails to give you your well deserved victory. God speed.
Lisa (Auckland
Huge respect to Grant, Dean and the ETNZ guys! You make us so proud to be Kiwis and we are SO PROUD to share a part in such an exciting adventure with you! This mornings race what a race! I'm all outa finger nails but lovin' every minute of this competition! We have every faith in our team and we know you can do it! Keep up the great work - and remember, no one back home cares if we're up all hours - we're behind you guys 110 per cent!Go Kiwi!
Sarath (Hamilton)
Well done ETNZ. After the first race, ones thoughts were 'probably 5-0 to Alinghi'. But after 3 races, things are now very different. I believe that Alinghi is having difficulty dealing with the losses. This is apparent from comments of Mr Butterworth (during the second race) Mr Bertalleri (after the third race). Those decision makers on Alinghi have won 16 races in a row. They do not know how to deal with a losing a race. This is a new phenomenon for them. Kiwis on the other hand are used to this they should be commended for keeping cool heads and 'come from behind' to win 2 races. Do not be surprised if Alinghi has a different helmsman (especially if they lose the next race). Conclusion: ETNZ should go on to win the cup. It may not be 5-1 may be 5-3, nonetheless a win. Go ETNZ.
Sel in England
I watched the race live from the UK yesterday afternoon and was proud to see the boys give 'em a taste of kiwi...keep it up!
Kitset kayaks
Best race ever
We can do it.
Swiss/Kiwi (Nelson)
You are one hell of a team! Dean just awesome as skipper of NZ92 - cool as a cucumber. Keep up the fantastic work.Go team NZ Go !
Richard Hipa
From the tiny island of Niue, named "Savage Island" by one of the world's greatest sailor and navigator Captain Cook who discovered Niue in 1774, sailing the Endeavor, we have been followers of Team New Zealand. Whilst we can access news and updates via the internet and watch captions of the race via TVNZ Network One news, it would have been awesome to watch the race as it happens. Nevertheless, we simply wish to extend our congratulations to Team New Zealand, from those on board, to those on the ground, management and all involved with Team New Zealand for the excellent performances to date and wish the team the best of luck for the nine races. Good Luck and God Bless, Sian & Richard Hipa, Alofi, Niue Island
Sally Dumptruck
To have witnessed that race live on TV will remain one of my greatest sporting memories. How cool Dean Barker looks. All that pressure, shifting breezes, basically a lottery and he looks like he's just walked out of the chiller. Wow! Good on ya Deano, Dalts and all the Team, shore crew as well. You are making us all so proud to be Kiwis. I accept that the conditions in last night's race were shifty. There had to be a loser and it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. Harden up Brad. You are starting to lose the plot mate. The body language on both boats has changed from race 1. Notice how Bradley isn't quite so talkative since his swearing and ranting in race 2. Poor old Mr Ed looks like he's too scared to say something that might upset his Boss. ETNZ had gone a bit quiet after race 1 but I notice last night the boys in the back are quite talkative and interested. It just goes to show how the psychology affects even this game.
Delta-1 Kiwi supporter
To date, a fantastic effort Team NZ! Now, win lose or draw, you have done your team and your country proud the world wide! Grant Dalton, you would be an ideal future prime minister for New Zealand. You have the right stuff your country needs mate! I salute each and everyone of you, go hard and take no prisoners guys.
Delta-5, a proud Kiwi.
Proud Kiwis (Birkenhead)
Fantastic! Just keep that buzzy bee stinging! Sting them where it hurts. We know you can do it. Bring it on home where it belongs!
Mags Paeroa
What a great race. That's what you call NZ style! Cheers to all our spectators and supporters in ValeNZia.
Shirl (Melbourne)
Congratulations to you guys. I know you can do it - we Kiwis are world's greatest sporting nation.
George (North Shore)
There is the one and best thing from this real possibility of winning the cup: it is the only event that can bulldoze petty lefty local government politics and the RMA when the time comes to redevelop the waterfront to hold the next defence. Go Team NZ! We need you to stump out the busy bodies that stop every initiative to shift Auckland from a third world city to something more beautiful.
Cheryl
Congratulations on an amazing race. We enjoyed Russel Coutts commentary but he can never replace our Deano!Go Team New Zealand. 5-1 would be great!
Dean (Hobsonville)
Of course we can win and every time we do our chances improve. This morning's race (race 3) was a complete nail-biter and the outcome was no more than we deserve! I would have been gutted if the other lot had nudged us out!
Go Kiwi. Bring it home. You can do it.
Mark (Bangkok)
This Alinghi crew and camp is starting to sound the the poms after a good thrashing by the all-blacks,,Stop the whingeing and excuses Alinghi and get on with the racing..Isnt the playing field even for both teams?
Ray & Ellen Daubney
Yes we can win it.Go for it Team New Zealand. We are right behind you and will be up watching every race till you bring it home. Last night was so exciting. We believe in you and you have shown you all believe in yourselves and one another.You are the best.
Glenis Davison
Team Tough you are magnificent - cool under pressure and so accomplished!Go all the way and bring it home - we are all so proud and excited and with you every inch of the way!The energy from this country will send you there!
Dizee (Canberra)
Congratulations Team NZ, living in Aust now but still supporting Kiwis all the way!
victoria (British Columbia Canada)
Congratulations mazal tov and good on you mate! We are so proud of you, team new zealand. this is so exciting!! We are with you in spirit, all the way.
just you show them what we are made of. Best of luck and go! Fom all us homesick ' Kiwis ' in Victoria
Bev Richards
you little rippers!!!!!!!! well done on behalf of all new zealand.kia kaha - wonderful news - keep it up - 5-1 sounds about right! NZ is a very proud country.
Emma (Auckland)
Team NZ your are making us all prouder kiwis! To have gotten this far is a great achievement but to be winning as well is absolutely fantastic! It is such an excitement watching you all work so well together and we, at home, are with you at heart and cant wait for you to bring the cup home!Well done Team NZ! We love you all!
Vick
Well done ETNZ, a great job last night! I stayed up late to watch and it ws well worth it. Keep up the awesome work!
Melwyn ( Auckland)
So apparently our win in the third race comes down to "luck" according to a crew member on Alinghi. I wonder if there would be so much belly aching going on from the Alinghi camp if they were in a 2-1 position? We need to remind them that skill not luck was the reason we won the third race!!I am very impressed that our team are keeping it clean and not responding with unpleasant comments back. Keep doing what you are doing Team NZ!! It is great to see such an exciting and evenly matched competition in the America's Cup.
Seattle, Washington, USA
am a Kiwi, and I am proud of you guys, I am the one and only kiwi in my work place, and I let them all know how great the Kiwi Team is... you can do it... you can take the cup home where it belongs.
dpe
I live in Canada and have for 30 years.This makes me proud to be a Kiwi.
Huia Gold Coast Aust
What an excellent race and well done guys. Ernesto bleating and making excuses is great and the more he keeps it up the more he obviously feels he is going to lose. One race at a time. Go the Kiwis,good stuff.
One Very Proud Kiwi
Well done you boys (and girls - cos there are a few in shorecrew)! A great team effort. Your focus, professionalism and sportsmanship leaves Alinghi in your dust, and you've done us proud. See you at the victory parade!
PD
Ts, tsk, tsk...Dear oh dear....My heart bleeds. Yeah right!
Fleur & Olivia (Auckland)
No matter what the final outcome Team NZ, you have done us and yourselves proud indeed. What great sportsmen you are both on and off the water. A win like this mornings is simply magic. Thank you - it's worth all the sleepless nights a million times over.
Scottie (Akl)
You guys know that you can do this and so do we...the country is behind you all (both off and on the water) and thank you all so much for sharing with us something so wonderful to believe in and letting us partake in whether we are there or miles back home!We are proud of you all...and happy 50th Grant Dalton for Sunday...and thanks for the chats at Les mills 3 years ago - keeping me so motivated...you are a living legend! Emirates Team NZ, bring it home boys...we'll be waiting here for you all!Cheers Scott :)
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