KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier selection of Your Views:
Chris (Zurich, Switzerland)
I was also in Auckland in 2003 and had time to read a lot of the stories which were written in the NZ press. I still hold an article, "Were we betrayed by Coutts, or our own bad management?" - It comes to the conclusion that it was because of the bad management. With Mr. Dalton everything seems okay and I also feel that the team lives a different spirit this time round. So why not appreciate that and give ETNZ the best support? If you point hatred against Alinghi it will definitely not help you to get the cup back. I hope that the best package wins - including the team with the best spirit including the supporters.
Kevin (Valencia)
Yep, the mood in Valencia is real ugly. About as ugly as a picnic in Devonport. Some of the kids on the play castle started waving NZ flags the other day aggressively. I think they were high on food colouring. But I will ring Ernesto next time they play up. I guess there may be some dickheads here, but 99.9 per cent are here to enjoy the sport, the atmosphere and the Spanish hospitality. People back in Enzed should take what is being said with a huge, huge grain of salt.
Basil - one eyed Kiwi (Hamilton)
We are so passionate about our sports who cares what our own one-eyed Kiwi's say to the opposition. The same happens in all other sports when our Kiwi boys jump ship, especially in NRL clubs in league. We want to be able to say what we want at any time. Those Kiwi's are getting well paid and they can handle it.
Jono - Kiwi living in London
Bertarelli, here are the reasons why you can't proudly hold a Swiss flag:
1. 3 out of your 36 member squad are from Switzerland!
2. Switzerland has no sea. It's a yachting race!
So who's the fair sport now? Go Team New Zealand, let's bring it home!
Kiwi (Colorado)
I can imagine that a lot of the Kiwis making the noise are over there on their "OE" so were still wet behind the ears when we had the cup at home, they need to calm down and understand that not only are they there to support Team NZ, they are there as representatives of the New Zealand, and should behave in the easy going yet proud manner that we Kiwis are known for. As for the Alinghi boss, he seems a bit contradictory, stating that Team NZ should thank him for helping pay for the team, when he should be thanking New Zealand for turning out the best sailors in the world for him to buy. Make us proud Team NZ. Bring the cup back home!
Anne (Auckland)
Just gamesmanship - unsettle and/or divide the opposition and/or their support. Having said that, the America's Cup is clearly not a 'national' competition. It is a competition between the best yacht teams. New Zealanders comprise many of them. If it is a 'national' competition, citizenship rules should apply. Those who went to sail for Alinghi did betray their country for money while it was a 'national' competition. I don't see any need to fight about it. It's self-evident and the matter is theirs to deal with. New Zealand used to have a national identity and it is this identity that is 'affronted' by the betrayal. It's up to yachting to decide whether it is a team of multi-national individuals or a team of identifiable 'nationals'.
Auckland
I've heard some pretty embarrassing things about Kiwi fans in Valencia from people working there. I thought we were supposed to be good sports? It's just embarrassing really.
LV
Berterelli is spot on. Get over it was 7 years ago.How quickly we have forgotten the money he pledged to ensure team NZ would be able to keep going after the joke that was Team NZs defence 4 years ago.The ugly side of NZ sport is starting to rear its head again.I thought the Black Heart idiots had been lost overboard.If the Americas cup is a international event how come Italy had 2 teams representing it at the event?The Americas cup is just a yacht race between Yacht Clubs not countries.Emirates Team Nz is not representing NZ its representing the Royal NZ Yacht Squadron a private club that wont let you in the door unless you are member.
Mnwj (Italy)
Perfectly said, 'Move on, get over it'. Exactly what the reminent Black Heart group should do.
kiwi from Vancouver Canada
I truly hope this is not the start of a mud slinging campaign by either race team, we have enough of that in so many other sports that it is slowly taking all the real fun and sportsmanship out of world activities.Both teams should concentrate on what is ahead of them. In a few more days.lets have a great Americas cup final.
Chrstiaan
I think the person with the chip on his shoulder is Berterelli. He wants to been seen as a supporter of the Kiwi Team for financing the start of the campaign - when it was him that created the problems for TNZ in the first place. The other question, the one of the nationalities will be for the winner of the AC to sort out. And at this point it seems that Berterelli is not all that confident that this will be Alinghi. His words show desperation hidden behind arrogance. May the better team win - it will be exciting racing and that is what counts - racing and not big statements will win the AC final.
Nick O
Sounds like they got a boat speed problem to me guys... !!!! The more BS that comes out the more worried they are - ignore it all, sail their arse off and take no prisoners. GO TEAM NZ !
chrisdj
I think that Mr. bertarelli is running scared----oops ----sailing away scared.
Igor (Auckland)
Bertarelli is right. For the Cup to succeed commercially, it needs to have the key ingredients to "sell" the competition. Limiting nationalities will create an overwhelming advantage for the Kiwis. This might make it too one-sided as world-class experience in certain areas (tacticians, etc) is thin and concentrated among few nationalities. Perhaps a minimum of 50 per cent of "nationals" on the boat could be a good rule to encourage the local talent to come out of the woodwork... But I would not have it higher than that.
C Nikal
Typical spin from Alinghi which they used effectively in Auckland last time to create a divide amongst NZrs.
Reece Palmer
First of all let us dispense with the black heart nonsense, it was an embarrassment to our country. It stunk of a petulant child throwing his toys out of the cot. Having said that, so too does this comment from the yodelling baron of chocolate. "I leant you millions so that you could compete but now you must let me win thanks". He is being highly hypocritical given that he has engineered a way to keep Coutts (the winningest americas cup skipper ever) out of the regatta. Yet he wants to be able to cherry pick the best talent from other teams as and when suits him. Imagine the wailing and gnashing of teeth had Team NZ followed this course of action. I am hopeful as to our chances, I will certainly celebrate vigorously should we be victorious. Ernesto is certainly used to getting his own way, then again so was Larry and he's nowhere. The America's cup is an increasingly elitist competition for the multimillionaires of the sailing world, that doesn't give them the right to change the rules to suit.
Grizelda
Let's listen to the man and then to Grant Dalton, who says no firm decision as to nationality has been made yet. Should NZ win perhaps the discussion should start then. This is all hyped up. Aren't we counting our chickens?
rhysco
Although Alinghi's argument is sound, it doesn't take into account that by allowing international sailors to join any team, this effectively creates a circular repetitive usage of just one bunch of sailors for each continual America's Cup. This means good sailors from the country of origin of the syndicate loose out and are not chosen - an obvious example of this is BMW Oracle Racing's last challenge. Dalton is right - the nationality rule means sailors from their own countries can get involved, and also it will encourage nationalism and support for ones countrymen.
Robert from Takapuna
So Ernesto wants to play psychological warfare again like the way he did the last time. Remember that one!Stuff it! We are better off ignoring this diatribe and focus on the races at hand. Thank you for the loan and we have repaid in full. That is as far as we can be grateful for. For the Kiwi fans and Team NZ at Valencia - keep calm and your sense of humour and stay humble. Don't intimidate and stay the course. Prove it on the water! Once it is all over and we have a winning ledger then we show the finger or better still show our bums!(Maori style of insult)
Annoyed
Ernesto's comments about the sledging of his team are warranted, we were up in arms about Russell, Brad and Co, but, hey lets get over it and remember the true sin, that under arm bowl. Alingi will be hard enough to beat without stupid compatriots adding to the fuel and drive to beat Team NZ. Don't give them that fuel you Team NZ fans over in Valencia, you all know what happened in 2003. Model yourselves on the stoicism showen by Team NZ until the final finish gun goes off after a potential 9 races.
Gordon Taylor
Totally support Grant Dalton - Berterelli is doing nothing for Yachting - will never forgive him for denigrating our Team NZ to the pits by gutting the sailing team and making the most of Coutt's and Co. Hell, I hope that we can beat them fairly.
Richard
Do people realise that this rule always used to exist, and there were no problems with it. I see no reason why it shouldn't be again. But alas, it is up to Team New Zealand and their squadron what rules they implement, just as others have implemented and removed rules.
Quickfire Christchurch
Bertarelli is used to getting whatever he wants. Barterelli brought himself the cup. He is turning in his sleep that someone else will win the cup and change all the rules just like he did. Go the underdog! Go Team New Zealand!
Knoxville TN
Let's first beat the 'Swiss' sailors, then discuss nationality if we must. Then, a compromise that Dalts might propose to Bertarelli could be to have one of the 'Acts' arranged as a match race in which each boat must be crewed solely sailors of one country, and, that each country can enter multiple boats - the top 3 boats would be crewed by kiwis!I wonder how much the carefully crafted 'Alinghi brand' if our Kiwi sailors beat his Kiwi sailors? His brand is all he really cares about.
Bazza from Singers
Are our views on the America Cup not too narrow? We have a team in Europe, getting high global exposure. Not only our team, but all the other kiwis associated with other teams. Spain spent $800 million on this venue, and it cost Auckland nothing. New Zealand is getting awesome exposure; their boat, their crews, their fans. When we win the Cup, we should immediately ask the Emirates sponsors to build the biggest, best Americas Cup venue in the World, in their own country. New Zealand will get a free ride to display our skills in a global market. Then all kiwis will benefit, not just the one eyed Aucklanders who think that they run a separate country; one that is broke, cant afford a decent motorway system, a Rugby venue or a decent Airport Terminal. How will they fund another Cup, without making somebody from Inver argil pay taxes to enhance an Aucklanders land value under the guise of National interest.
Saurabh (Auckland)
I reckon that the nationality clause will only hurt NZ sailing as a whole. The more our sailors get exposed to racing of the calibe of the America's Cup, the more we, as a nation, will benefit. It also gives the sailors who couldn't make it to Team NZ, but are just as good, a chance to compete.Instead of a nationality clause, there should be a salary cap clause, like in Rugby league. That way, NZ will have just as good a chance as any syndicate to attract the best sailors to Team NZ. But it will also give our sailors the chance to race.
JJHG
This is simple gamesmanship - nothing more, nothing less. It will make winning the Cup all the more satisfying. Of course Kiwi fans are going to have a crack at Butterworth and any Kiwis sailing for other teams - it's a chink in their armour.
Rodd (Manila)
Agree with Bertarelli, why should you limit the potential of any person to work where and when they are able. In this age of professionalism, it should be the right of individuals to choose what they believe is the best option for their own future. In my opinion it boils down to small-minded individuals that are not in the position of guys, & girls, trying to follow their passion. If you want the best team, then be competitive, don't install a form of dictatorship that excludes people from doing what they want on an international circuit... unfortunately too many NZ sports organizations feel they are bigger than the game, or call it an old boys network that needs to wake up and move out of small town and get a face of competition, not only on the road, but competition also for retaining good talented people.
Luke Mason
The groups who invest the most money into the syndicate get to say what happens. It's called business. Let's not get too carried away with patriotism and loyalties. A good example of this is Emirates Team New Zealand, it is a good brand, and this is why Emirates have backed it, because it says 'winner'. People have to remember that it's a rich man's sport, and rich men play with money.
Ian Morine
It's a bit "rich" - excuse the unintended pun, when the Alinghi boss starts throwing punches at New Zealander Grant Dalton, when it was Alinghi that raided New Zealand's best sailors to take the Auld Mug away from New Zealand in the first place. Alinghi must be pretty sure that Team NZ are going to win in Valencia, otherwise he wouldn't be making these comments to try and distract us. Lets get the Cup back here so the game can be played the way it was originally intended, not run by a "poor little rich boy" crying crocodile tears. Go Team NZ - blitz them 5-0, as I know you can!
Ian from Auckland
The America's Cup is a contest between nations. It is yachting's equivalent of the soccer world cup, the rugby world cup etc. The nationality rule was always a fundamental cornerstone in the America's Cup. It is a strict rule in every other sport so why should the America's cup be any different. Tean Alinghi is a prime example, it is a Swiss based team that is made up primarily of Kiwi's and American's, there is no national identity behind the team, the only real link to Switzerland is the source of the finance. Yes the current lack of a nationality rule allows many Kiwi's jobs in yachting, it does however mean that the America's Cup is not inspiring development of sailors in other countries. The sooner the America's Cup gets back to its roots and stops being a inter-corporation sport, the better.
Sean Kelly
Although I didn't realise that Bertarelli had provided financial support to Team NZ, I do agree with him that Kiwi supporters are out of line by insulting fellow Kiw's whom are with other syndicates. Sure we were mad and frustrated at the likes of Coutts and Butterworth back in 2003, and back then it was very much warranted to give them stick. But its now a new era for Team NZ with many new faces along with a few loyal ones. We have the chance to forget about the past and inflict the best possible revenge by getting the cup back.Many of the Kiwis whom are in these other syndicates are doing so because it was an opportunity that they may not have had with Team NZ. Team NZ would not be able to accommodate for every eager NZ sailor, and so they do need to look offshore for this once in a life time chance.
Bogmailer from Christchurch
The AM cup has along history of on and off water antics (just mention Dennis Connor) and as the actual final approaches we should expect more and more outrageous claims by the defender, to put the heat on Team NZ in Vallencia. It would be naive of us to think they are not going to use every dirty trick in the book to keep the cup but I think it is a good sign .. Alinghi must rate us a serious threat. Win or lose on the day we have them worried.
Dianne Langefeld
When New Zealand wins the America's Cup, the next America's Cup should be hosted in Auckland. It's not Alingi's management to say what our team and our country should do.
Hamish
If this is the case, people will be forced to become residents of another country. This will also hinder the earning potential of our sailors when only a small number can be on the black boat. It is a job and if any team wishes to be one nation that is up to them.
Tony
Alinghi/Ernesto Bertarelli is a powerful person and like all/most powerful people they do not play by the rules.In fact these people make their own rules as they go along-simple as that.We will Win and we will stick to the original rules in true sportsmanship like manner.Win first-talk later.As we all know what he did to change/add the rules to prevent Russell from sailing for another syndicate.This guy plays to win no matter what- all else does not matter.So the best revenge for Team NZ is to win.And win we shall for sure. Why-because there is no Russell Coutts? Bye bye Allinghi.Sayonara.
Paolo (kiwi fan in the USA)
Grant, Dean, guys, don't fall for it! This is just pre-Cup psychological warfare to rattle you. Like Dennis Conner years ago with KZ7: "if everybody builds their boat in aluminum, why would they use plastic unless they intended to cheat?", remember? And the bowsprit controversy raised by Luna Rossa? These are classic pre-Cup tricks. There is going to be plenty of time to talk about it *after* you celebrate victory! If anything, take it as a sign that they are worried: if they were sure of winning, why would they care about what you think?
Donna Robinson
Sorry, Ernesto don't agree at all. You are being a hypocrite - sack Russell and make sure he can't work for anyone else - how self-serving is that? Money doesn't make the America's Cup richer - it's a sport not a rich man's play thing. All of New Zealand is behind "our team" and that's the way it should be. Are you just afraid that New Zealand has some of the world's best sailors and when you lose in ValeNZia, you won't be able to mount a new campaign without "foreign sailors".
Andrew
If they don't like the idea of the Cup coming back to New Zealand, then they shouldn't have provided the loan for Team NZ in the first place. Jobs lost in the Mediterranean? Yes, but jobs gained in New Zealand. So what? That's the game.
Peter McCarty
I think Grant Dalton is on to it. Currently the rest of the world is benefiting from the sailing talent in NZ.
Paolo - Kiwi fan in the USA
Grant, Dean, guys, don't fall for it! This is just pre-Cup psychological warfare to rattle you. Like Dennis Conner years ago with KZ7: "if everybody builds their boat in aluminium, why would they use plastic unless they intended to cheat?", Remember? And the bowsprit controversy raised by Luna Rossa? These are classic pre-Cup tricks. There is going to be plenty of time to talk about it *after* you celebrate victory! If anything, take it as a sign that they are worried: if they were sure of winning, why would they care about what you think?
Trevor, (Christchurch)
Talk, talk, talk. Let's let our sailors do the talking on the water and then worry about the next AC after this one's been decided. This is yet another smokescreen to try and divert ETNZ's attention from what they should be focussing on, winning the cup! Bring it on!
John
Beat them and then worry about what they have to say!
DKO ( Akl)
Ernesto, Ernesto you sound a little rattled!When we win the cup I am sure if it is only a slight improvement on previous NZ events all the personnel involved in AC will be here.By the way with only a matter of days to go who is the official Skipper for Alinghi and their so called SUI100 bullet!
Andrew (Auckland)
The America's Cup is not about nationality. Where would Team New Zealand be without foreign money? Why don't we introduce a rule where you can only enter a boat funded by companies from that country? How would Team New Zealand like that?
Zpete (Mt Wellington)
Arrogant Swiss.
How many people did Ernesto Bertarelli put out of work in Auckland. He should have defended the cup in Auckland, going by what he preaches.
Get a life mate, all you want is to be seen as a Valencia benefactor. Senor Ernesto. LOL
Colorado USA
Bertarelli is obviously worried that he will not be able to put together another team. His team consists of only 15 per cent Swiss Nationals yet he was still going on how the "Swiss" won the Cup. If he is worried about 3/4 of people losing their jobs, why did he make sure that Russell Coutts was not able to continue working in his job, albeit for another team? Bertarelli is a hypocrite. On the one end he is buying half the New Zealand Team and goes on about how they are just choosing to work for him, but then blocks Russell from working for another syndicate. The only point Bertarelli is consistent in is the money aspect of the cup. Let's make the America's Cup the New Zealand Cup once again and create even more jobs for New Zealanders in New Zealand. Why should Europe make all the profit? What's next? Will Bertarelli buy the All Blacks and make Switzerland the next greatest Rugby Nation?
Adam (Auckland)
Bringing up the topic Grant Dalton probably made his one and only mistake (PR-wise) through the whole campaign. It was not a great idea to mention the nationality rules prior to the finals - even if I do agree with what he said, some things are better unsaid.
The relaxing of the nationality rules has taken away a great deal from a historic competition, and made it into a corporate moneyfest. Different philosophical viewpoints will exist as to whether something is 'richer' it is better, but I can't help feel that the USA is not behind Oracle, and Switzerland certainly does not care about Alighi (it's just rich man's a toy, like a trophy wife). Who really cares what team wins? We want to know what country wins an event (unless there is a historical context of supporting a team over many decades). Bringing back nationality rule would make the event mean more to people, maybe it would affect the revenues, but I doubt it - it does not stop people watching the Soccer World Cup, Olympics or RWC. Dalts is right in what he said, wrong to have said it.
Bruce Enns (USA)
I think Ernesto can stick his loan where the sun doesn't shine. That statement was a tad bit arrogant and self-serving on his part in my opinion. I'm sure it didn't cause him any financial hardships, and very un-professional from someone of his financial stature to be bashing a small nation like New Zealand. Ernesto, if you read this, not every nation, let alone a private party, has the financial resources you do. Zip it money bags!
Godspeed ETNZ!
Phil (Canterbury)
Enesto doesn't like it when he doesn't get his own way. Nothing more than a spoiled rich kid.