KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier selection of Your Views:
Harry, Palma- Spain
Come on people, don´t you realise the media have nothing else to report on because there is no racing at present. Journo´s are scratching around trying to keep the interest in the event between cups. Why does it take a yank newspaper article to get our backs up about what is now a professional sport. Where people get paid to sail for whoever, no matter what country they are from. Don´t get sucked into this media beat up. The real talking will be done on the water!
Brisbane
This is highly amusing! I thought that redneck Kiwis misbehaving overseas passed themselves off as Aussies. Guess it won't pay off this time! It is time to get over the past, including the dreaded 'underarm bowling' incident. It makes you Kiwis look like you're suffering from the small man's syndrome. What is the point in holding a grudge for life? Gosh, so it's ok for Kiwis to wave the flag ever so nationalistically--isn't that what Aussies get accused of doing when they display their sporting passion? Kettle-pot-black! Still, go Kiwis--you can at least match the arrogance of the Swiss.
Pete
I think some Kiwis unfortunately are "bad winners"!A further example was the terrible abuse directed at good natured Lions fans after several defeats, including the Auckland game.
Francois Jacobs
Although we would love to bring the cup back, kiwis should be show good sportsmanship and refrain from nastiness. What about the all black players joining overseas clubs?
Tim B (Auckland)
Get over it. Absolutely!These guys are just doing their job. Would people complain if someone moved from working for a NZ company to working for a Swiss company? I don't think so.
Kiwifan
Get over it! Is Alinghi starting to feel the pressure? For so long Kiwi fans have been described as boring, now we show abit of emotion we've been told it's disgraceful behaviour, I'm sorry but this ain't cricket where you clap between overs!!I'll tell you whats disgraceful, Ernestos comments, that's not sportsmanship in any sport! Also, the behaviour of soccer fans in Europe is right up as the most vile and disgraceful sight you'll ever see in this lifetime, I'm sorry but did I see the riot police trying to quell the Kiwi supporters in Valencia? No! But go to a soccer stadium in Europe and you'll definitely see violent clashes and fans get killed in stadiums!!! You tell me what's disgraceful?! Ernesto is just trying to give Kiwis a gee up and upset the TNZ momentum!
SF
So what? I wonder how many Swiss fans are there? I have the funny idea that the Swiss aren't half as interested in how Alinghi does as we are in ETNZ.In fact, most of the European population don't even know that there is such thing as the Americas Cup.So why can't the Kiwi fans show their support? Whether or not they throw a word or two into the crowd - does it matter? To the Kiwi sailors sailing for other syndicates: that's your problem - you knew that before you left! After all you are Kiwis yourself and you know just how enthusiastic Kiwis are about their sailing and the Americas Cup.
And as for you Mr Bertarelli - grow up and act your age!
Ian
It seems that those that are embarrassed by the behaviour of Team NZ fans are probably more embarrassed by the success of a small nations sailing ability over a powerful and wealthy syndicate - get over it! If it was Australian fans cheering their team along, there would be little or no criticism. For once Kiwi's are and will be on the top of the world, stop the "tall-poppy-syndrome" right now and enjoy it. Go Team NZ, thrash Alinghi 5 - 0 !
JT
This is the kind of behaviour that has lead to a widespread level of dislike and ridicule of our Aussies cousins abroad. There was a big article about it in the Sydney Morning Herald last month. Let's not go down that path my fellow Kiwi's. Keep the patriotic chest beating in check.
Olive Oyl
Go you Kiwis
Just keep winding them up and keep them focused on anything else except actually sailing!
dindo
These reactions from the Alinghi camp are quite obvious -their magic is gone. Perhaps scared as well of anotherwhitewash from the Emirates Team NZ.
Andybee (Whangarei)
So, Ernesto Bertarelli thinks that the support for ETNZ is loud and aggressive, does he? Perhaps it is now sinking in that this is the kind of support that he cannot buy, with all his billions. Frankly, I believe that it is time "we" cranked up the volume: imagine, thousands of NZers lining the channel en-route to the race course doing the loudest haka possible yes, baring those buttocks to the Alinghi crew no! don't throw tomatoes throw kiwifruit instead! Show Mr. Bertarelli that his phoney, whingeing PR attempt via the NY Times will only galvanise our little nation. And don't for a minute think that the NZers in Valencia are any worse than any football crowd anywhere in Europe: or the million odd people who will line every mountain pass watching the Tour de France pass through. Under no circumstances should "we" make it easy. I now accept that the AC has nothing to do with sport, therefore, whether one views it in commercial or national terms is totally irrelevant; a successful challenge will be of benefit to NZ and it is the duty of all to make it as difficult as possible for Alinghi. All is fair in love and war! Only this is more serious than war!
Rach
When other Kiwis in Valencia and neutral fans at the regatta are upset by the behaviour of some NZ supporters, then some of the people writing on this forum need to accept its not all sour grapes from Ernesto. If supporters of visiting sports teams to NZ behaved in the same manner - screaming drunken abuse at the opposition, throwing fruit and cans at the boats, generally behaving in a boorish manner - the NZ public would be appalled. So we should not excuse or accept this behaviour when it is being done by NZers overseas. NZers may accept our booze binging culture in NZ, but it doesn't always look pretty transferred overseas. And as for the NZ crew on the other boats, the target of the abuse? They are all professional athletes wanting to perform in the peak competition of their sport and be paid their worth. Unfortunately, we have such depth amongst our sailors that there aren't spots for all of them on Team NZ, so why shouldn't they make a living elsewhere? Many among the NZ public seem to forget that the America's Cup is not a nation v nation sport.
Le Fox
Psychological moments,mind games. There is one hell of a lot of money at stake, it's a pity people can't have fun any more.I want t.n.z. to win, because they deserve to win as a team. It has been quite exhilarating to watch the races. But I hope they don't go changing the rules, not everyone wants to live in NZ. Peter Blake lived most of his boating life in England & his remains are still there. This is a rich mans sport, & people can be bought, so why should someones race be brought into the race? Be careful of what you wish for.
Chris
The parrallels to F1 are interesting. Look at how the Italians react to a driver leaving Ferrari to go to an opposition team. It is an affront to the Italian nation. Same with those Swiss Kiwis leaving the pride of our nation to sail against us. Bertalli is trying to wind us up - hope the scowl on his face was as good as the one on Ellison when he got trashed by Luna Rosa.
Lisa
How come if a Kiwi gets a great job with great pay overseas (ie working for Microsoft) the country is proud of them, but if it's a good job on a boat in a race that isn't even country vs country anymore, it's a bad thing? Get over it. Be happy our sailors are so in demand!
Eric (NZ)
Mr E Bertarelli is just playing along with the USA Media unwittingly I suggest and fuelling the usual Conner type Americas Cup bizness. That always takes place each 4 years. I feel he would have been co-erced into something negative re Luna Rossa if they were the challengers. Pretty boring stuff. Mature readers can see all this and I am damn sure as anything Dalton and the Guys will not at all play along with it but just calmly as usual get on with attempting to win the ole thing.I don't at all agree with many saying bring it home.where it belongs. What rubbish..If we are again fortunate to win the cup, all well and lovely. I have watched every Race with Pride in NZ and not moaned about staying up late Plus we have yet to hear Pete Montgomery ..-apologizing- for saying he does 'not know why- the Area needs armed guards. I fear that them damn terrorists may well try something..for their cause. That is what Bertarelli/Dalton and indeed the world should be on the atch out for not this humbug happening now.
Michael (Browns Bay)
I think a lot of the patriotism is completely misplaced. Even now we only have a challenge due to the funding of Emirates - who also sponsor Chelsea Football Club etc - and are not an NZ company. Bertarelli is probably correct - those idiots should get a life. We had a chance to defend the cup - but couldn't build a boat that didn't fall apart. Maybe these fools should be harrassing Schnackenberg & co who designed it.
danny boy
Good on the Kiwis for being there if there vomitting in the streets then so be it. New Zealand always seems to come under fire for over use of the haka and now over zealous supporters we have every right to display our feelings and say our piece we by no means have the reputation of a rioting soccer crowd who start riots and injure helpless by-standers.I personally was gutted with our loss and ill preparation of a boat which could not handle the conditions our current team have enough monetary backing and practice time to get it right my confidence in dean barker will only be restored if they reclaim the Americas cup.We shouldnt have lost it in the first place.
aquarius (QLD Australia)
Why is it headlines if kiwi fans are misbehaving? Talk about double standards,you have them all around the world,take a look at the Europeans and the Aussies for an example. I dont really care what Ernesto says about kiwi fans,but he must realize that Kiwis all around the world(besides a few)will be united when it comes to sport especially. We are not sore losers,but we never forget! This America's cup is especially very dear to us,not because we lost in 2003 and want revenge,but how we lost and why?Its the traitors who went to Alinghi are the people I dont like and I dont blame the fans for reacting in that manner.To team New Zealand,good luck and dont let anyone break our kiwi spirit.
Sealegs
Please lets not go down the path of 2003 when Alinghi was booed to and from the dock. People leave businesses for many reasons - ask who made the most profit from the 2000 campaign and why we lost our top guys? Ernie just capitalised on the bad business management of our own Kiwi hero's greed. Get it in perspective - it's a money game not a national game. But go the Kiwis anyway! I'll be wearing black and waving my flag when I get there next week. I'm backing ETNZ but I also have the utmost respect for all the Kiwis on all the AC boats.
Kelvyn Alp
Why anyone would be "ashamed to be a New Zealander" because of the actions of a few small minded people who lack self-discipline is beyond me. It is not the country itself that brings us into disrepute, so instead of being ashamed to be a New Zealander, show others that we remain a proud and friendly nation of people that have a love and enthusiasm for life. A friendly smile towards a stranger holds more power than a drunken fool spouting nonsense. Go Kiwis.
Auckland
Yawwwwn!
So what, some rich dude is upset over some comments. Is that it? Really!
George (Kerikeri)
As a Swiss/New Zealand double citizen, I am getting a good view of both sides. At the last America's Cup, New Zealand as a sports nation got a lot of bad press in Europe, for being "unsportsmanlike" especially for the unfortunate "Black Heart" campaign and this whole "Loyal" business. I'm not talking about the Swiss press in particular, in fact they were quite tame compared to some other countries,only referring to the "Black Heart" campaign as " somewhat childish..." What saddened me was that NZ missed out of using this opportunity to showcase to the whole world its sailing ability and actually it's supremacy! So this time around, I hope that, with so many kiwis on so many boats, this opportunity will not again be wasted. Because, as the Swiss newspaper "Blick" stated: No matter who wins this America's Cup 2007, it will be Kiwis winning"
Zeke (Whangamata)
This is just all the more reason to bring the cup home.
Muzza
Interesting view point here from respected Bob Fisher about the Sabre Rattling going on.
http://www.sail-world.com/newstext/pda.cfm?Nid=34576&RequestTimeOut=180
quotes from article: "Bertarelli views the Team New Zealand intention as a slap in the face, an ungracious move because he loaned the Kiwis a large sum to kick-start it operation, but it is only changing the protocol to bring the event more in line with the original concept of 'friendly competition between foreign yacht clubs.' There are veritable droves of New Zealanders in Valencia to cheer on 'their team.' So far, there has been little visible support from Switzerland for Alinghi"Bertirelli sounds like a spoilt rich brat with no Swiss sailing talent or many Swiss supporters to call upon.
"willie "(Hamilton..Pharmacist in Frankton)
Loving the sparing to date in the early hours."The team obviously has the eye on the target.
patriot
Oderint dum metuant (let them hate, so long as they fear) - Accius, 170BC-86BC
pCb (Auckland)
Mr B has really thrown his toys out the cot hasn't he?? I seem to remember this depth of feeling being built by the public statements of Coutts and Butterworth when the cup came to Auckland. Get over yourselves guys. You're meant to be at the pinnacle of your sport so I assume you would know how to take a few knocks.However - should any fan start to act like a football fan I suppose a stay in a Spanish jail will be more than adequate.
Tick Tock (London)
"Its been 7 years, Let it go. Let it be."This comment by Alingi Boss Bertie, shows a distinct lack of knowledge or understanding of how the kiwi memory works.First thing brought up in a converstaion with Aussies ... Underarm Bowling
First thing brought up in a conversation with a Frenchman ... Rainbow Warrior First thing brought up in a conversation with a Swede will from here on in be ... salior poaching.We may not be able to influence the world stage to any great degree on a number of issues, if you piss us off we are unlikely to declare war on you; but world be warned if you think an elephant never forgets ... you have never met a kiwi with a sense being wronged under there belt.I for one would like to see justice served so then maybe we can all just forgive and forget.
John (Wellington)
I hear most of the noise from the Kiwi contingent, is coming from a bunch of try-hard drunk 40 something y/o females that took out second mortgages to afford the trip. That's what happens when you get too much cheap wine, sun and Dean Barker in your head - they wanna learn to hold their booze, and their big mouths, the mug's not here yet, and if they keep wingeing at Dean and the boys they're not going to have enough focus to win it. Ernesto's a great guy, he gave me a cool Alinghi tee shirt! the only time I felt uncomfortable wearing it was an occasion at a supermarket south of Auckland, when a mother walking-by carrying her kids sneered at me - ya gotta wonder about some people with too much spare time.
Danielle
I must admit I am no fan of Alinghi by any means because of the way they seem to obtain their employees and then give them the flick. I also think they are whingers for complaining about Team NZ having a different view on nationality to them. I am all for some good-natured ribbing but if people are behaving as badly as I have read in some comments by kiwis actually in Valencia, it is such a bad look for NZ. We shouldn't stoop to that vulgar level. Team NZ won't thank fans for behaving badly. They should be putting their efforts into supporting Team NZ, not wasting energy on Alinghi.
Sonia
Don't buy into Ernesto's game.All this does is take attention away from the sailing and the wonderful efforts of Emirates Team NZ. All the hype around the Loyal campaign last regatta cast an unpleasant shadow over the event and I would hate to see that happen here. We need positive support so nothing detracts from the Teams effort. Let them say what they want and prove them wrong rather than prove them right which is all this debate is doing.
ETNZ fsupporter
Bored Billionaire Bertarelli...poor Ernie, he must be rattled judging from his tanty in the New York Times. Don't feel left out folks, by being stuck back here in NZ missing out on all the psychological games going on in Valencia, You too TOO can show your 'support' for Alinghi by emailing either media@alinghi.com or friends@alinghi.com, Poor Ernie can then judge for himself the level of boorishness. Lol! Send those good luck ETNZ comments thick and fast to Alinghi.com (or is that Swiss.inc?) Its the sporting thing to do. and remember. Revenge is a dish best served cold. Ernie's will be just desserts.
Wytch
Judging the many on the actions of a few. Good grief.. this is sports and we're a passionate country.. are we really going to be vilified as a nation because some dude pukes in public or jeers at the competition? Get over it Mr B!
Barry
If our kiwi fans are really abusing our own fellow kiwi in Alinghi, then it's a shame if we win the cup. I certainly don't want to be a part of it and will not be proud if we win. Shame!
VG (Auckland)
I think the Kiwis should hold back a bit on their "enthusiasm" for the time being. We need to win the America's Cup, and then deservedly let lose a tirade of assorted comments on Alinghi. As another reader has commented, the AC is not so much a sport anymore, it is a business worth many hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Messers Bertarelli, Coutts, Butterworth et al made no attempt to hide their sniggering and mirth at our expense four years ago. They deserve every bit of what they are getting in return. However, we really do need to tone down our wild comments and insults quite a bit and behave like gentlemen/ladies. Do not stoop to their level, I say. We do not want to jinx Team New Zealand!
Kim H (Sydney)
A shameful, embarrassing display by a bunch of drunken NZ yobbos. Let Team NZ clean up the Cup first, then they can revel in victory of sportsmanship over money. Valencia must seem like Queen St on a Friday night back in the 1970's.
Jimi (A.C.T, Australia)
Get over it! They are just having fun. Good on them. I live in Oz and they're very passionate. Their fans are pretty hard core. They are English football fans and all around the world so just get over it. Good luck Team New Zealand.
Leoni (Auckland)
Hey Mr Bertarelli, the boot is on the other foot now. We have got sponsors (Emirates, Toyota, Estrella Damm), we have got good sailors(Deano, Terry and co) and we have got a good head of the Challenge (Grant Dalton), and we have some of the proudest and loudest Kiwis on the earth and we know how to have a good time without whinging. Keep on going guys and show these Swiss and Swiss Kiwis how to do it.
LV Martin (UK)
Have the fans who are abusing Alinghi's Kiwi sailors in Valencia considered that these men are some of the toughest America's Cup winners that New Zealand has ever produced? Firstly, you will only make them more determined to win, and secondly, you are hardly encouraging them to consider returning to Team New Zealand in the future!
Lady B
I'm a Kiwi who has been living and working in Switzerland for the past 35 years. In 2003 I came back to New Zealand for 2 months to support the "black boat" in the America's Cup. I was however, dismayed at that time at the feelings of animosity towards Coutts and co. and at the "Blackheart" campaign, which whiffed of the pre-war Germany of the late 30s. I found it intolerant and threatening. For this reason I decided to support Alinghi instead, disappointed that many of my fellow New Zealanders, generally well-known for their sporting fairness, should behave in such an untypical manner. Let's hope that Bertarelli is only seeing ghosts from the past and that Kiwi fair play will prevail in Valencia.
Kano
Berterelli has done nothing to add to ethos of the America's Cup. It appears to the lay person that the Swiss won the cup initially through poaching key personnel from Team NZ winnings campaign. The AC should rightfully return to the winning syndicate's home nation. It is not therefore rightfully Europe's nor should it be Team NZ's for that matter. Foremost the AC is about country vs country. You just need to look at the annuls of history to see this.
True blue
So Ernesto is upset with Kiwi fans. Sounds like he and his team are rattled. And he is indulging in a little psychological warfare, which - excuse the pun - won't wash. If Kiwi fans are acting like boorish louts in Valencia then Bertarelli should provide evidence. Put up or shut up. I think it has more to do with the actual size of ETNZ's support in Valencia, which is most likely his beef. For the record, I haven't forgotten his raid on Team NZ in 2000. This guy wiped his boots on NZ and expects us, the little bucolic peasants of the south seas to, 'Let it go. Let it be'. Sorry, no can do. Revenge is a dish best served cold.
Jared
Ernesto Bertarelli's comments are predictable from a man who believes those with money should control everything. The America's Cup has historically been and should remain a sporting contest between nations, not wealthy playboys who want to assemble a team of mercenaries at what ever price it takes to overcome their consciences. A paid back loan does not give Bertarelli the right to hold sway over Team NZ, and influence any cup related decisions we might have the power to make should we be good enough to win it back.
Bertarelli has ruined the spirit of America's cup which should be about national pride and sailing excellence, by changing the rules to suit his team in conjunction with Ellison, who is of a similar elk. There should be a nationality rule that limits the number of non-national sailors on syndicates, but does not eliminate them. The surplus of talented Kiwi sailors would not be out of work as Bertarelli predicts, but would instead be more fairly spread around the other teams. The Swiss flag on the Alinghi boat is a farcical attempt to pretend that Switzerland is being represented. The appropriate flag for the true spirit of Alinghi would have a picture of Bertarelli surrounded by $ or ¬ signs.
RoznOz
Sour Grapes! Designed to upset TNZ won't work. We're gonna whop ya! Our kiwis against your kiwis. The Cup's comin home. Go boys, go get it. Utu.
Simon (Vancouver)
I think what these overly proud Kiwis are forgetting is that the America's Cup race is not about one country competing against another, rather it's about one syndicate competing another. It just so happens that New Zealand can only afford one shot at it. It's all about money; whoever has the most money can buy the best team and the best equipment. The sponsors flock in behind these strong teams.
Jimmi
Judging by the Alinghi whinging, NZ success has already prevailed. The more that fans can get under the skin and in the heads of Alinghi sailors the better. No need to get nasty but give them hell! How about chanting "Losers!" or "Money!" as Alinghi sail by the dock?
JR (Wellington)
Let's not fool ourselves. The America's Cup has nothing to do with sport. It's an extremely competitive and profitable business, especially for the winner.
Misty Mista
What goes around comes around! I think everyone in Team Alinghi is starting to s--- bricks really, knowing Team NZ have lifted up their acts and have brought the battle back to Alinghi's porch. Mr Alinghi can't staple people's mouths. Everybody has a right to voice their opinions. If Alinghi is so good in their acts, they should concentrate on their sailing rather than paying attention to what people have to say about them. I guess kiwis can speak about the losers who ran away to join Alinghi for a few bucks and they definitely don't matter to NZ anymore. Grow up Alinghi - "everything is fair in love and war".
Arnie FB
With the number of Kiwis sailing for Alinghi isn't it Pacific Kiwis against European Kiwis (and with Oracle it was US Kiwis). If the nationality rules are tightened will it apply to sponsorship as well. I hope not as there goes Emirates and Toyota to another team - perhaps they should all concentrate on sailing.
Rosemary
How many of these people who say Bertarelli is right also agree with him when he says if we win the cup we should not hold it here in NZ, due to the Europeans thinking NZ is not important enough to them commercially. If so why don't you go and live with him. I think on his part it is sour grapes. I have heard about the way Kiwis are acting over there, good on them, they are giving them a good old Kiwi rev up. I have been watching the news and have see that Alingi has been blowing sails while practicing. When we win the cup, I would like to see what the same sad asses have to say in your views.
Andrew Clifford
Earlier this year I heard Brad Butterworth make an Alinghi presentation to one of their main sponsors. He is a professional sailor just like other NZ professional sportsmen. Team NZ fans should not give any Alinghi team member a hard time. The problem is that NZ public get too worked up about losing and lack maturity to lose gracefully. Remember how they trashed the All Blacks in 1998 during dark, transition times? We will be at Valencia supporting Team NZ 100 per cent in a few days - but I am worried that the behaviour of other fans will make NZ an embarrassment to support instead!
Greg, Aucklander in the UK
It seems the Swiss really do believe that they can buy the loyalty and gratitude of anybody. It must come as a shock to discover that not everyone is a mercenary who sells out for a few Francs.
David Innes
I think many New Zealanders, including me have long memories for what Coutts, Butterworth et.al did. Not so much for jumping ship, but for doing it in a way calculated to create maximum difficulties for the 'loyalists' who stayed behind. If they're getting grief from the Kiwis flooding into Valencia, they've only themselves to blame. But I suspect this is just another 'mind game' on Alinghi's part to try and unsettle ETNZ. Ignore them Deano and the team. Go the 'real' Kiwis!
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. Let's have a great America's Cup final.
Peter (Melbourne)
I don't condone too much nastiness in supporting sport, but though Mr Bertarelli has enough money to do his own thing, to New Zealand this was and is more than a club challenge. That is why we in addition to sponsors have New Zealand in the team name and put taxpayer money into supporting the team. We have some of the best sailors in the world - which is why they are in demand but we expect first pick. So nobody can go around dictating what we feel. New Zealanders felt these sailors who helped take the cup from NZ let us down and we probably always will - one day they may redeem themselves in our eyes but they have done nothing to do so yet, but good on them for earning the big money. As Kiwis they can always come back to NZ if they want to.
Dave
I recall Dennis Conner, the "Mr America Cup" himself and his public comment on TV. "Get off, this stage is for winners". I think it is best ignored as a possible sho