KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier selection of reader support messages posted to nzherald.co.nz
Di (Italy)
Fabulous racing Team NZ. As a Kiwi living in Italy and married to an Italian, I have the opposition in my living room! It was quite amusing to see both flags draped over our furniture! I might just have to make a trip to ValeNZia and bring you some vegemite as I'm sure you're running out by now! Bravi!
Icedeity (Dutch Harbor, USA)
Gentlemen - congrats on the Louis Vuitton, now bring the cup back to Auckland, where it belongs. See you on the 23rd.
Smithy
As a yachty and member of the RNZYS, all the members are 100 per cent behind Team NZ. We at the squadron are ready to receive the silver ware.
Best wishes to all. Go Team NZ.
TH Smith
Christine Price
I would like to congratulate Team NZ for the wonderful display of sportsmanship and comradeship in the racing of the Louis Vuitton cup. I would also like to wish Dean and his team all the very, very best and all the luck in their challenge for the America's Cup. I know you will do your utmost to bring the cup home. Good Luck.
Shelley Lock (Auckland)
Well done Team New Zealand you have now reached the start line, and reached it with finesse! You are formidable. The tension during every race was nail biting even when you were ahead with the desire so strong for you to win. But now, the tension is just plain crazy, and the real racing hasn't even started yet. We will wear our red socks with pride during the next round of racing. Fantastic work guys and keep the focus. Good luck and we'll be watching even at the crazed hour it is for New Zealand. You make us proud to be Kiwis with your effort.
Pam (Adelaide)
We are Kiwis living in Australia and p..... off that we don't get any coverage of the Cup here. (Of course, silly me, no Aussie boats competing.) Thank God for the internet. We have absolute faith in Dean and the boys to bring the Auld Mug back to Kiwiland and we will be sure to let Adelaide know when we have won it. C'mon Kiwis c'mon!
Stoerkyboy (Switzerland)
It is amazing to see how Team New Zealand has realised the essential changes since the last America's Cup in Auckland in 2003. First they managed to take on board a potent and well known sponsor such as Air Emirates and were able to hold Toyota and Estralla Damm. Not to mention the state of New Zealand's financial support. This has certainly given them a clear chance along with the human capital which they can bank on. Grant Dalton has built a very solid team which has proven stability, continuity and strong nerves. One can feel the positivity and mental balance just by watching on TV. Alinghi will be in trouble. Not practising against Alinghi beforehand can only give Team NZ an advantage by not playing all cards. It's the right thing to do. Everybody is looking forward to a cutting edge final race. My prediction is that it will be a very close call. Strong nerves are required. And the outcome? Team NZ will win this time.
Best regards to Auckland.
Robbie (Kuwait)
Watching each day in the desert and well worth it. You boys have made my day. 5-0 - a very good team effort. That's what Kiwi's do well. All the best for the next one.
Mark Freeman
There are few things sadder than watching the nationalistic clichés that poor out of a bunch of clowns who are probably struggling to make a living, as they watch sailors sailing for rich people, fighting it out over a cup that has nothing to do with us. Propaganda, nationalism and the kind of rank herd mentality that I imagine fuelled Nazi Germany. How embarrassing.
Fenton Family
Well done Dalts and the team. Truly inspirational to watch. Once again you have shown to the world what true NZ sportspeople are. Non assuming, determined, focused, team players, who always punch above their weight. Show Butterworth, Phipps, Jones what it was like for you guys in 2003. Free the Auld Mug from that landlocked country and return it to its rightful home. Look after NZL 92 and she'll look after you! Good Sailing.
Gordon-Crosbys (Eastbourne)
Well done guys, you make us proud to be New Zealanders and you've lifted many of our spirits her in Eastbourne by winning. Surprisingly, there are many desperate housewives tracking your races. We're no yatchie fanatics but my husband and I have watched every race with eager anticipation and we've danced around the room at all hours of the morning celebrating! Your strategies and professionalism is outstanding and you've made the best riveting television. Wish we could be there in person to support you all! Bring it home boys!
We girls (Waiheke Island)
Just to let you all know that although our productivity at work has been a bit low of late, we totally enjoy watching such incredible sportsmanship (not to mention the rippling biceps!) and were very emotional when you won the Louis Vuitton cup. Bring on the America's Cup and more importantly - bring it home! All the power to all of you, you are doing an amazing job as ambassadors for our gorgeous country and we are soooooo proud of you. We will be glad of the lay days so that we may gather strength for the big one. Kia kaha and go team NZ. Bring it home guys and, Matt Mason - I am single if you're looking. I am serious.
Vivienne and Debra
IndigiNZ (Auckland)
Choice one NZL92 you make us proud. You all are too much alright, ka mau ke te wehi!
Lee (Papamoa)
You guys are just awesome! Faultless and brilliant! All my thoughts and positive vibes are sent to you to bring that mug back to Godzone. Slainte!
Chris (Tauranga)
Congrats on an awesome victory. This is your stepping stone - or ticket so to speak - to bigger things. I'm a huge fan of Team New Zealand, always have been so. Bring that cup home where it belongs. The America's Cup is New Zealand's cup.
Ruth
Congratulations you guys. You are all undoubtedly the finest sailors in the world. I am not even a sportsperson, but I stay up till the wee small hours here in Auckland just to watch the races. I know you can bring back the America's Cup, even though we were beaten by Alinghi last time, but we have come back with a vengence and its all down to your hard work and determination to win. Cheers to Dean and all the crew on Team NZ.
Byzepool
Julie Ash is dead right. It has been a rescue mission. It has been Grant Dalton's rescue mission. Could have/would have - anyone else pulled off this 'resurrection' of our national 'sporting pride'? We may never know. What we will always know, is that Dalton has pulled it off.
Come what may in the 'big game' to follow against Alinghi, Grant Dalton's leadership, his coralling of resources monetary material & human - his sheer strength of will to ensure (to quote Dalton's words), "that it can't end like this (2003)" - has against mighty odds & obstacles - succeeded. The humiliation of 2003 has been exorcised. The mana of New Zealand sailing has been fully restored - particularly in the eyes of the lay; that rabid, demanding, passionate, vicariously 'expert' creature, commonly known as the 'kiwi sports fan'. The promise of Dean Barker's talent (as foretold, lest we forget, by the great 'fallen one' - Coutts), has been realised, and his potential - almost (five to go Deano!), fulfilled. All these things have come about - largely - due to 'we know who'.
So who are these bloody Daltons, anyway? This bloke's (Grant) brother Graham, right? I had the good luck to follow some of Graham Dalton's fortunes as he raced solo around the world. How is the form of this guy? He's sailing the smallest, slowest boat in the fleet.
The low budget, the ocean storms, gear failures, etc etc, you get the picture. But wait, there's more! He's also beset by personal & family tragedies, unfolding as we at home listen to him live on radio from the southern reaches of the Indian Ocean - during a storm. This is the sort of stuff that makes up the mettle of the guy who 'rescued' the "Kiwi Americas Cup dream". Grant Dalton, as just one of many grateful kiwi sport fans, I'd like to thank you, your family & your Team Emirates New Zealand. We hope you win it all. We know though, that you're already winners - of the highest order. Congratulations.
Erin
Whooo whooo!
Hans Jansen
Well done guys, we are all so proud of your performance, keep up the good work, we will be with you every inch of the way.
Auckland
Congrats to Dean & and all the crew on the boat & on the shore will be with in the round of races.
C (New York)
Just another member of the kiwi diaspora who wanted to add his congratulations to ETNZ for an inspirational performance in the LV Cup. Now there is the small matter of Alinghi. Revenge is a dish best served cold!
G.J.
We have watched the Americas Cup since Freemantle, sometimes in NZ and sometimes in Canada. We have watched the races live and will be glad of some sleep before Team NZ takes on Alingi. We have the same feeling today that we had when NZ picked up the cup in San Diego. Well done Team NZ - we are your fans.
G and J Hill
Andrew Steele
Congratulations to Dean. You were good before this famous victory and you have shown great mana in your actions.
Monty (Pokeno)
Great stuff Teamnz, you're da best. You all deserve to win, can't wait for the next races. God bless.
Shona Stilwell
Well done guys - we're so proud of your wonderful achievement.
Quentin (Perth)
Well done on the spectacular win 5-0! Unfortunately, we've had no coverage in Australia, so we've been religiously tuning in on the internet each night! You've done us all proud and shown that talent is what it takes at the end of the day, not money. Keep up the great work!
Toonie & San (Dubai, UAE)
Kia ora Team NZ. Congratulations on a fantastic effort and well deserved win from your fans here in Dubai, UAE. Despite being sponsored by Emirates, no free to air coverage here but rest assured we're keeping up with the play and eagerly awaiting the outcomes of each race from the land of the long white cloud! Good luck Team NZ with the next leg (the big one!) - you can do it!
Harun family (Manukau City)
Congratulations Emirates Team NZ, well done! Bring the cups home boys and gals, you can do it.
Red Sox (North Shore)
Thanks Guys - you were awesome. Now I can wash my red sox in readiness for the big one. Go Team NZ. Thank you Prada for being such worthy opponents.
Stenersen family
All the best. Now is the time to wipe the smile of Butterworth's face - the one he had in 2003.
Good luck from the Stenersen family
Dermuid (Australia)
Go Kiwis!
Teedeebill (O'ahu, Hawaii, USA)
Bring the Cup home!
Glad (Wellington)
I wish to congratulate all the guys and gals involved with Emirates Team NZ on their fantastic 5/zip win. Keep up the great work and bring that old mug home! Cheers and good luck.
Glad and family
Mrs Tamblin Larking
It would seem that champagne spraying is an acceptable form of celebration in this country. But it would seem that I am the only person in the country to be put on an assault charge for partaking in this champagne spraying celebration. What is it with the police these days?
Ross ex-pat (Pennsylvania, USA)
Well done Grant, Dean and the rest of the team. You showed the rest of the world what can be done even by a small nation like New Zealand with determination and hard work. Keep sailing like you have been and the cup will come home. You make me proud to be a Kiwi. Good luck.
Manawa
Very impressive , the plans that Dick Hubbard as for downtown Auckland when the Kiwi's hopefully bring the cup back. Maybe he could look at a sports stadium just along the road. Now that would be good news too and what a wonderful place Auckland would be with a park-like setting right alongside the water. Let's go the full hog downtown people. How you could turn down the opportunity of a new stadium but now that the cup maybe on its way back to Kiwiland you are all talking about spending millions on redevelopment.
Rach (San Francisco, USA)
Congratulations boys! I am so proud of our little country. So nice to follow the cup through the NZ Herald website. Come on guys let's bring the cup back home. It was amazing what this cup did for our country. Crank it hard and bring it home! You guys rock!
Jaco ex-pat (Wiltshire, UK)
Deano and the lads, congrats. An awesome job done, you guys are the real deal. I have been following your progress from race one. (Good coverage on Sky TV.) Now make sure you go all the way and take the cup home. I'll be with you all the way. Kiwis are great fighters, go Team New Zealand.
Cheryl-Anne (Foxton Beach)
Well done team. Take a well earned rest. We will be with you all the way & know whatever the outcome, you did us proud.
Giovanni
Let's bring it home! Up the Kiwis!
Pam (Tokyo, Japan)
Congratulations on wining the Louis Vuiton Cup! I'm so proud of all of you. Pamela saying hi from Tokyo, Japan. Go Team NZ go!
KYL
If anybody can, a Kiwi can. Bring the auld mug home to NZ.
Santy (Howick, Auckland)
Well done NZ Team! Bring back the cup! Your winning makes my job a lot easy at work! I always have a big smile when we win. I will pray that we will win because we are the best of the best.
Rafael (Valencia, Spain)
Hi, my name is Rafael, a Spaniard from Valencia. This is a messagge to all New Zelanders: Congratulations for the great victory on the Louis Vuitton Cup! As you will understand we are supporting Alinghi so we can hold in 2009 the America´s Cup with NZ´s team permission. Please do come to Valencia, enjoy the city and the battle. You are most welcome! Congratulations again.
Mtt (Orange County, USA)
What a tremendous win for not only the entire crew and organisation but for the country as well. I'm a proud Kiwi living in Southern California and am standing even taller than I usually do. Let's bring the cup home boys! Well done and good luck for the Cup races.
Kabby (Quito, Ecuador)
Fabulous, felicidades congratulations. I have been on my computer following the race and am proud of you all Kiwis. Go for it, you can do it and bring the cup back home to New Zealand. Go Team NZ! We are with you all the way, despite being 3000ft above sea level.
Greg (M/V Ocean Pacific)
Way to go NZL92. I'm in Mexico so I don't get TV coverage but thanks to the NZ Herald online I can stay tuned. This Yank is pumped for you Kiwi's & will be cheering for NZ to bring the cup home to Auckland again. That is where it belongs. I was there in 01,02 & 03, Thanks for your exceptional hospitality, & friendliness. Good on ya mates. Charge hard.
The Hermanator
Donny (Japan)
I was there at the waterfront in Auckland when Alinghi took the cup away from us. Bring it back for us boys! We deserve to put our country back on radar screens across the world and show what Kiwi power means!
Mike (Dubai)
Thanks Team NZ for the best birthday gift ever! Bring it home! I'll be watching you.
Baghdad
Just wanted to say congratlations on an awesome performance so far guys, I know you will all go the distance and bring the Cup back to where it belongs.
Matt (Sydney)
Does anyone know if they'll be coverage of the America's Cup in Sydney? Just reading about it on the web is doing my head in. Wish I was back in NZ now! Good luck for the big one boys, I know you'll do us all proud.
Kent, UK
Having been present in 2003 at the disaster that was the Kiwi boat then, it is highly encouraging to see the progress that Emirates Team New Zealand have made. One of the most significant comments I have heard about this regenerated team is that the bulk of them came on board for the challenge before there was any big money promised; they came aboard for the love of sailing, and I think that it is that spirit which is going to see them through to bringing the America's Cup home to NZ. Well done Emirates Team New Zealand!
Jannie (United Arab Emirates)
I have been clued to the TV at 4.30 pm each day. Congratulations on your 5-0 clean sweep of Luna Rossa. You are all fantastic sailors and make us all proud to be kiwis. Can't wait to see you beat Alinghi. Go NZL92.
howk
"To lose our first race in the round robin against Mascalzone Latino was tough for the team," he said."The beginning of the winning" It may seem ironic but to lose the 1st race may have been exactly what TNZ needed (not wanted) Losing the odd race along the way brought them back to earth..Lets hope that 5 zip hasn't sent them over the moon. Probably not.
Kiwibill
Good on Deano & the team We knew you could do it never lost faith in you all. If any one can a Kiwi can, looking forward when the team brings back where it truly belongs the Auld Mug. Have been cheering supporting the New Zealand team for past 20 years. Even went to Freemantle. Congratulations again & again. Bring home the Auld Mug. United we stand as a team divide we fall. Stay as a team. We dont want a repeat of 2003. Bring home the Auld Mug.
Dianne and Roy
We live part time in San Diego and part time in Paihi, (Bay of Islands). We love seeing the Kiwi Team do so well, We're with you the whole way. Keep up the good work and bring America's Cup back to New Zealand!
Shireen
Go Team NZ!! Wow what a win and a decisive one it was. Congratulations to a well-run, well-oiled team with Barker and Dalton at the helm. You did us all proud. Bring back the cup guys. PS, my mother has been wearing her red socks and got up to watch all the races.
Kiwi Kate in Tuakau
It pays to be loyal. Go the Black Boat and all her teams. Proud of your achievment, but not surprised. Have original Red Socks from 1995 and they will continue to be proudly displayed.Just wish I could be in ValeNZia! to cheer you on.
Sue Paterson
Congratulations on the fantastic result ETNZ! Very well deserved win after a professional and totally focused campaign by a great team. Keep it up!NZ is so proud of you all.
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