KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier selection of messages from readers of nzherald.co.nz
Iose (Niue)
I am one of your biggest fans. I look forward every morning for the NZ news that comes on our local station for the results. A huge congratulations to Dean and the crew! Well done and I sincerely hope that you guys will bring the cup home to NZ. All the best and fair winds to Team NZ! God Bless.
Room 14, Botany Primary, (Howick, Auckland)
Way to go Team NZ. Bring home the Cup. We know you can do it. You rock!
Cameron
That's awesome, well done guys!
Leoni
Well done Emirates Team NZ. May you go on and beat Alinghi in the finals 5-0. Thank you Emirates for having the faith and courage for sponsoring us. Go on guys and get the job done.
Rita Hunt Auvaa
Well done kiwis, you have made us proud to live here in Kiwiland. Be safe and play well in the next level of the sport.
Bubz (West Auckland)
Wow, I'm so proud of our team that comes from such a little nation who always wears their colours with pride & prestige. I stayed up all morning till 5.30am 6months pregnant but wouldnt have missed it for the world. You guys are brilliant and we here in West Auckland have all the faith in the world that you will go all the way & bring that funny old looking cup back to where it belongs.
Kia Kaha, kia toa, kia manawanui!
Richard Wallis
Well done NZ! You have made us proud of this little land in the south, a country that has always punched well above its weight. Good luck for the final and may the Atuas of wind and water smile upon you.
Timespider (North Shore)
What a great feeling we have in NZ once again. I'm not usually a yachting fan but can't seem to turn the TV off when youre racing. You are putting that NZ pride back into your people, we are proud of you all. Good luck in the main race, we know you will do your best & hope you can bring it home.
Mitch
Good on ya Team New Zealand. We are a small nation who can match it with the big boys we are behind you guys all the way. Good on ya Dean whata way to come back you guys make us very proud as kiwi's. I gotta box of Speights to celebrate. The late nights have been worth it!
Kia kaha, Kia toa (Be strong, stand proud).
Nick (Auckland)
It's great our Emirates & mainly foreign sponsored yacht (sorry, I mean Team NZ yacht!) is doing so well. Let's hope it continues. Fact is, that inspite of the hysteria in NZ, the America's Cup is not really known internationally. Most Americans when asked, even in the 'port' areas, thought it was a golf trophy & except for small paragraphs in papers and the odd obscure TV channel in Europe, it is not getting the coverage we think it is. Reminds me of the global attitude to rugby.
Kim
Good on ya Boys, congrats on bringing home one cup, now there's just one more to go. Good luck to all of you. I know you'll do us all proud!!
Trisha (Auckland)
Congratulations on your huge achievements thus far. We know you will bring the cup home and continue to make us feel immensely proud Kiwi's.
Teau Seabourne (Moscow)
Great work team New Zealand thanks for making us all feel great to be a Kiwi! I love it! Kia manuia!
Tazza
Congrats from a NZ tax-paying contributor. Great value for our investment and Dalton for Prime Minister! Barker for Sports! All power to you!
Bea and Murray Haslett
You absolute beauties! Heartiest congratulations from our whole family, to Grant and Dean and right down to the pitman and runner. Celebrate you may for a couple of days, reflect in a perfect win. After that, get back to work to prepare to wipe those Swiss off the map, especially the 5 deserters. The only way you can show them this is to do what you did to Luna Rossa. We won't mind if it's 5 - 4 to NZ, but don't get us too sweating, we would prefer another 5 zilch. Our very best wishes to you all. Auckland will prepare for the welcome of your lifetimes.
Keith Kevy
I applaud you and thank you for your dedication to excellence. More, I think, than another day at the office for you, and another day for us to feel so proud about being New Zealanders. And now we can all get some sleep, for a couple of weeks at least.
Leigh (Auckland)
We want to wish you well with the challenge of Allingi and we know that you guys will bring back the old mug. We are very proud of you and have followed the race for years. Kia kaha and make us all proud as we are loyal so go hard and good luck the ngawaka whanau.
Kari B (Cannes, France)
Well done lads. A special congratulations to Dalts, Richard M, George, Rob, Jeremy and Mr Shoebridge. I know that you will be getting ready for battle mentally and physically. Good luck with your preparation. Kia kaha! Stand proud, stand tall and hold your ground.
Annalie
Bring it home! Well done, our hearts are bursting with pride!
Mary
Well done guys and congratulations. You are almost there in bringing the cup back to NZ again. Keep up the good work.
Workmans (Orakei)
All the very best, with you all the way. Good luck Grant and the boys.
Maxie (Auckland)
Fantastic work gentlemen! Remember - the only 60 seconds that matter are the next 60 seconds.
JJgolfer (Titirangi Auckland)
Team NZ - you have done a fantastic job on winning the Louis Vuitton Cup. The whole team shows skill and composure which has come through as a real team effort - you are all leaders. Good Luck for the coming series, now to bring home the cup. Very proud of you all as a Team Unit. Well done.
Gladstone (Queensland)
Its a day to celebrate for all Kiwis regardless of where you live. The black boat looks good, the team looks good, what can i say! Well done Team NZ. One down, and the next challenge will be even better! Has anyone seen Russell Coutts?
Feve (London)
We will win any hoot. See us in Valencia babies!
Vee (Bay of Islands)
Team NZ - a consummate victory! A nation stands proudly behind you.
T (Hamilton)
Five nil, tu meke Deano, to all the ETNZ crew, big ups to you. Bring home the cup bro! Kia kaha kia maia kia manawanui.
Greg
Why did you have to win? I really don't care and am sick of our news being dominated by rich white men floating around in a boat racing other rich white men.
Anne van Duren
Yeeaahhooo! Fantastic result! Keep it up!
Rosemary
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa to our boys. Only one more step and what should still be here will be returning home. We love and believe in you. Bring it home.
Supporter (Auckland)
Thank you Dean and the team for the awesome work. You have done us Kiwis proud. Superb effort - job well done. We are with you all the way. Best wishes for the final.
Manawa Sports
Well done. Again the kiwi rises from the ashes. We must not forget Trevor Mallard in all of this as he was the one in Government that backed the Kiwi boat from the start. Now maybe if the Aucklanders had backed Trev a few months ago you might be getting a new stadium just down the road from where the America's Cup could be coming back to. If anyone can the Kiwi can.
Kaitaia Supporter
What a team! Go Team NZ! We wait with bated breath the finals. Bring it home! Good on ya mates!
Pat (Auckland)
Stupendous effort, great to see Grant Dalton and the team smiling. It has made us feel good as well. You are all doing a magnificent job.
Sue (Torbay)
Fantastic. I was at your open day at the Viaduct and haven't missed a race on TV. Lack of sleep has been well worth it. You are awesome!
GoldenX (Auckland)
Well done Emirates Team NZ! Big 5 for a straight 5 wins!
Mama Mia (Auckland)
Just imagine that a nation of 40 million sheep and lamb just beat the daylight out of a nation of 700 million bottles of wine. Congratulationz and cheers to Dean and the team.
Colleen, Auckland
Way to go boys. Congrats on getting the first cup out of the Alinghi cabinet. Now on to the second. Great work - you make us all proud. Go Team NZ.
Kiwiboyz
Well done Team NZ! Its worth the effort awaking every morning to see you guys kick Italian ass!
Alinghi watch out! God bless!
Match sticks
Have never been happier to use match sticks to keep my eyes open on the job. All in support of Emirates Team NZ! Well done to all in the Team - Aotearoa proud!
Raine (Foxton)
Well done guys, you certainly have made a lot of people so proud of your dedicated efforts. Keep up the good work. Good Luck to everyone in the team.
Peter (Auckland)
Congratulations on the Louis Vuitton win! A brilliant result from a dedicated team. Our hearts and minds are with you as you move on to the final challenge.
Luiz Xavier (Auckland)
Thanks for your efforts to bring the cup back again. The final race will be the best and show them the same standard of determination and pride.
Marion (Dunedin)
We are just so proud of you all! I have been so impressed with the steady brilliant crew work. There is a touch of Sir Peter Blake there. God bless Grant Dalton! We have great faith in you to go the whole way. Your "flag sail" just tops off this classy challenge. Very best wishes.
Sheri (Auckland)
What fantastic news to wake up to each morning and today the cream - 5 straight wins. Great sailing that we know will only get better. The champers is well deserved!
George (Gisborne)
2meke E Team NZ. wish you all the best and tight sails. You guys Way to go my bros. Show them whos boss on the water. We here in Gisborne are right behind you and rock and make us proud to be Kiwis.
Nicholas O'Kane (Wellington)
Good work Team New Zealand. Best Wishes in beating Luna Rosa and Alinghi. I enjoy watching you race and win. All NZ is proud of you.
Russell
Amazing performance guys, keep it up! Go hard Kiwis!
Hona
This should be a mere formality for Team NZ. Go all the way guys and gals. Kiwis in Australia are cheering for you. Kia kaha!
Jenny (Auckland)
Congratulations Emirates Team New Zealand for the wonderful win. Just keep on going and bring the cup home.
Nick
Emirates Team NZ has affirmed what we all believe - the Americas Cup is coming home!
L & J (Hong Kong)
Watching you live from Hong Kong! Making us proud all around the world. The million Kiwis living abroad are behind you 100 per cent. We'll be home for the next one, can't wait to see the cup back down under. Best of luck!
Kiwican Ron (Las Vegas, USA)
Lived in LV. for 18yrs and I was in Auckland for both 2000 & 2003. I remember the sad faces at the viaduct when the Kiwi boat foundered. The NZ Herald reporter captured my wife Angel's sad face when Team NZ's mast broke. I have always proudly worn ETNZ gear here in LV. It brings out the many Kiwis that live here. Living in a gambling town, Helen Clark would fit in nicely, as she placed quite a cool bet on ETNZ but that will be returned to the NZ economy ten fold, when the next America's Cup is sailed in Auckland. The northern hemisphere wanted a taste of holding the America's Cup, well they have had it, be prepared to sail south guys. Our race time is 5-30am in LV. Great work Grant & Deano & the whole crew, we are just the proudest of you. Go Kiwis.
Ashton (Argentina)
Great team work Team NZ. You guys are the best. God bless.
Kiwi (Canada)
Louis Vuitton success! Fantastic work ETNZ. Now business matters are settled we can take care of the personal stuff. Alinghi awaits, "The Black Boat" is coming. I hear the theme from "Jaws" and I will have my red socks on every race day, right here in Kelowna, British Columbia. Canada.
Dolphin (Japan)
Go hard boys - half way there.
Ben (Santa Monica, USA)
Long-time ex-pat watching live every morning at 6am here in Santa Monica. Awesome stuff. But...we haven't won the thing yet! Everyone's acting like we have it 'in the bag'! Didn't Luna Rossa demolish the fancied Oracle team, and look at them now! Little difference in boat speed, really. Until the first leg of race 1 we just don't know how we compare with Alinghi. But all the best to the Kiwi team. We'll be cheering as loud as anybody in NZ!
Lllllllucky (Melbourne)
Hey hey hey, man o man, this is fantastic. C'mon you guys, go go go bring the cup home.
Mike (Vanuatu)
Go Team NZ. All the best from Vanuatu. (Kiwi at heart.)
Emma (Los Angeles, USA)
No matter where we are in the world, Kiwis are proud of their own. I'm cheering you on all the way, Let's bring the cup home!
Kerry Lane (London)
Great job so far. Go Black Magic. Let's crush the Italians and then move on to to the Swiss. Would be a dream to bring the America's Cup home to beautiful Auckland City.
Kiwi (Brisbane)
Kia kaha boys well done, now bring home the big one.
Barb/Wayne Langdale (Canada)
Congratulations on your 5-0 win over Luna Rossa. Now on to the America's Cup. We know you can bring the cup home to New Zealand where it belongs. Following your every move from British Columbia, Canada. Proud to be a Kiwi.
Damage _ London Kiwi (London)
I reckon all the kiwi supporters should start wearing white zinc like Hutchison and Davies. It would be like the red socks of the 95 and Y2K defence - except this time war paint.
D. Christie (Melbourne)
Although Australia isn't involved in this America's Cup and has shown a woeful lack of interest in the Cup in the last decade, there are some Australians (such as myself) who still follow this sport and wish Team New Zealand well in its quest to regain the Cup. Nothing pleased me more than to see Oracle eliminated and I hope Alinghi also implodes. I was in Auckland in 2000 and 2003 and could only admire the passion that Kiwis have for the Cup. I wish Team New Zealand all the best (as well as Australian yachtsman Adam Beashel on TNZ) and hope to see the Cup back in Auckland in another three or four years from now. Hopefully, a TNZ victory might also inspire Australia to get off its arse and actually challenge for the Cup again!
Jon Kiwi (Tokyo)
Nothing keeps my mind off the hot summer in Tokyo than seeing Team NZ powering ahead of the opposition off Valencia. Absolutely awe-inspiring to see a great team (Luna Rossa) being left behind by an even greater team (NZ). Sean Fitzpatrick used to say 'All credit to the opposition' - but this time, it's 'all credit to Team NZ.'
Mike (Sydney)
Even though Aussie TV are in denial that the America's Cup (challenger series), I am able to read daily the blow by blow accounts in the NZ herald of Team NZ's wins. Go Deano & the boys! We Kiwis are willing you on from all corners of the globe.
Thomas (Norway)
Watching with great excitement up here in Norway! It's great to see you doing so well! Best wishes for more success.
Nickylodeon (New Hampshire, USA)
To Team NZ good luck and bring the cup back where it belongs. We are all rooting for you and are proud even if you don't win (but please win). Once again good luck and go hard.
Liz (London)
Congratulations on winning the Louis Vuitton Cup.Sending positive vibes your way for the rest of the contest.
Drumin7 (Boston, USA)
Hey lads, bring it on home! Watching you on line from Boston Massachusetts!
Proud Kiwi (Melbourne)
How proud I am to be a Kiwi today well done and bring on home the big one. Of course we will not hear much about the great win over here in Melbourne, but thanks to modern technology we can keep up with home on the NZ Herald website.
T&M (Nicaragua)
Chur boys!
nk (Europe)
2011 in Auckland. Wow! I have been to Valencia. The atmosphere is far better in Auckland! Bring it on.
Hillbillies (SA)
Congratulations Emirates Team New Zealand on a fantastic win. We are with you all the way. Bring the Americas Cup back to NZ. My family live in Auckland and we couldn't be more proud.
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