KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier selection of Your Messages to the team:
Samoan Afterguard
Congratulations to ETNZ on their eminent victory in the LV cup. It's quite clear that NZL92 has superior speed in most if not all conditions. Alinghi have not any hard racing and the difference in both these teams' make ups is that Alinghi look like a team of champions whereas ETNZ are a champion team. I also believe that if the Auld Mug does come back, that a serious Pacific challenge can be mounted. One of the last bastions of exclusive sport could see a real input from the Pacific - Keven Mealamu, Jerry Collins, Sione Lauaki, Ruben Wiki grinding - Serevi triming, Brendan Pongia bowman - (slight of hand, fleet of foot a la Dancing with the...etc) and of course the afterguard...Michael Jones and Bryan Williams tacticians with the evergreen Tana Umaga at the helm and the ever humourous Mike King the 18th man to keep things sane!
Dave
Guess what. We taxpayers have spent 36 million on this campaign. Pity the govt didn't spend 10 million a few years ago and keep Coutts and Butterworth here so we wouldn't have had to try to win it back.
Arctic (Canada)
Go TNZ! I'm missing all the racing (and all NZ sports) while I'm working up here in the Arctic. So I eagerly wait for the updates. Bring that Cup home Kiwis!
Steve
I've been watching almost every race. I can't wait for it to be back here in four years time and I can watch them during the day, rather than in the middle of the night.
Raval (Auckland)
Team NZ is the only official, brave, hard working, real, sports team in the world who can challange for and win the America's Cup. Other teams are selfish and gready, sail for money and reward only. Other teams do not know the value of loyalty , honesty , smart hard-working team. This time only Team NZ can win America's Cup. God defend Team NZ. Good luck, god bless Team NZ. Come home with our beloved NZ Cup, not America'c Cup.
Findlays (Glendowie)
Awesome sailing! We know you can do it, keep it up. Would love to be in Valencia, but we are supporting you from home. We are very proud of the whole team. Go Kiwis go!
Reble (Ponsonby)
Congratulations Dean Barker and Team New Zealand. We back home here are watching all the races and are whole heartedly with you in every wind, wave, turn and splash you have made in your victory to date. Go hard and good luck. Kia Kaha and Ka mate! Ka Mate! Ka Mate!
Kia Ora.
Jeeva (Auckland)
On the verge of another America's Cup challenge! Well done boys. Really proud to be a Kiwi because of your never say die attitude, modesty, focus and - of course - success on the world scene. Win the America's Cup boys. Even better.
Angry Bear
Go NZ. All the best from Devonport.
Klinac Family
"Get your socks on, get your red socks on"' Go the the boys in NZL92. You have made us all very proud to be a Kiwi. Your achievements so far has been outstanding. My eyes are hanging out of my skull due to lack of sleep but its all worth it just to see that sleek black machine and her awesome crew power her through the Med. Lets bring the Auld Mug Home.
Room 14, Pt England School (Glen Innes)
We are a year4/5 class from Point England school in Glen Innes Auckland. We hope you will be winning the America's Cup against Alinghi soon. We know you are doing your best and we are all really proud of you. We get updates on your races every day on P.E.N.N. - our school news TV programme. We just want to share with you one of our school mottoes, "Champions never give up". We know you will not give up until you are champions. Go hard Kiwi!
Ian Crowdy
The Sir Peter Blake Marine Education and Recreation Centre would like to wish Grant, Dean and the boys all the very best wishes for the finals.Bring it home boys to where it rightfully belongs!
Predictor
Enjoy while it lasts, the glorious feeling of the LV finals. Alinghi is going to kick your butt.
Gaza (Browns Bay)
Go Team NZ. The team at the Browns Bay Police Station are right behind you. We have the same belief that Team NZ has. "We are not doing this job to lose." Keep up the great effort and whether you win or loose, we know that you gave it your all. New Zealand is proud of you. Dont give the opposition a chance in the upcoming races. Just show them the view that we want them to see - your stern.Gaza and the team at Browns bay police station.'
Very proud immigrant
I'm bursting with pride. It's so brilliant that a small country in the Pacific, mixing it with the big boys and winning. I don't understand much of the sailing jargon, but I'm loving the way Team New Zealand are going about dismantling the opposition. Great team, but Dean Barker - you beauty. All the best Team New Zealand, I pray that you guys bring home the Cup.
Lorraine (Kapitit Coast)
Well done team, you are making me very proud and happy! God bless for the next races.
Asbasha (Auckland)
Well done boys. Bring back the Cup. We all support you from far away.
Brian Richardson
Following progress keenly, although getting the information in the USA and Australia as I travel is not easy. All the very best for your final races. The kiwi may be a slow bird but we are slicker than a Swiss watch.
Hibiscus Coast
I'm not generally thought of as a sporting person in this household however, when it comes to sailing I'm there with the rest of them. The pleasure and pride we feel for the team over there is treasured. We send our love to the team and all those support people behind it. We know you will do it.
The Thai's of Howick
You will do it Team NZ. All the best to the crew and support crew. You are in our thoughts every night. The first job in the morning is to log on and see how you have done.
Paul (London)
Good on ya boys! Doing a outstanding job. Keep it up. Go Kiwis!
Kiwi (Lake Macquarie Yacht Club, Newcastle, NSW)
Great going guys. Keep up the good work. Don't see the racing here but up early every morning to check the results on the internet. Makes me proud to be a Kiwi.
Father
Special hi-five to the originals; Mathew, Tony, Don, Grant and the Shoe. Huge interest now on the sailing, really, well done, superb teamwork. Will be watching all races with great interest as always. Good to see you lifting the game. Have always had faith in Deano's starting and have seen some brilliant judgement already. Joey has trained the forward boys up a treat and they could be even better than he was. Hope the windshifts keep in your favour, boy its tricky out there and no room for mistakes. I guess this message is mainly to wish all the team best of luck. Cheers, Father.
H&J Thames
Give it heaps guys. We are proud of you. Do it quick, we need some zzzzzzzzzzzzzs.
Papatoetoe Pride
Kia kaha, kia toa, kia manuia - you carry so many of our hopes and our dreams. You are our pride and already you have achieved our admiration and thanks. And your good manners and sportsmanship are the mana we seek as our national identity.
Adam
Go Team New Zealand! You guys are going awesome and are doing us all proud! Keep up the awesome work, and bring it home!
Anne Archibald
Congratulations. What a wonderful team effort. You should all be feeling very proud of yourselves. Looking forward to seeing the America's Cup back in New Zealand.
Ipipiri (Bay of Islands)
You guys have a top waka. all the best.
Blair
Go Emirates Team NZ! Make sure you stuff those Italians, and then royally stuff those land-locked Swiss!
Rad (Auckland)
Awesome boys! You made us proud. But please hurry up with the Italiens. I need to take off and wash my stinky red socks for the America's Cup. God Speed!
MacKays (Waiheke Island)
Go boys! We are watching you give it your best at every chance. Good Luck and bring it back home, we miss it!
Proud Kiwi Girl (Queensland)
Kia Kaha to our Kiwi boys. We are sooo proud of you. Keep the great sailing going full strength and show them all how it's done once again. Go hard you good things. My fellow Kiwi friends here are behind you big time.
Sing (Auckland)
Specifically for Dean. You are the man to bring it back, now you have the even playing field. All the very best.
Grant (Auckland)
Great work by you all to get four in a row against Luna Rossa. Keep doing the same stuff each day guys, work to do it better each day, because its all about to go up a level where you will have to be all something very special! We know you have it, just dont lose the focus, the thing that makes it all work and only each of you know what that is! God speed the black boat !
Red soxs and Beano's
Red sox are on till the end of racing, wheeeew. See if you can fly in the water. You do us kiwi's proud. I'm puff'n those sails big time. All the best of luck lads. Thank you.
Kiwi well (Wellington)
It is great to see that you boys have the upper edge on Luna Rossa. We all here in Wellington wish you the best for today's race. Our hearts and best wishes go out to all the crew and team associated with Team New Zealand. The final will even be more superb when you bring home the America's Cup back home where it belongs..
Rod (Auckland)
Go Team NZ. All the very bets in the next few racces. Good luck to all the team.
Gordon (Auckland)
Good luck Team. Please win the Cup back so that I can watch the next challenge in the sunny summer afternoons in Auckland.
Robert (Hendersonville, North Carolina, USA)
Keep it up boys! You're absolutely amazing. I don't think there's a better remedy for a homesick kiwi then seeing that you're up 4-0! Best of luck.
Brenda Hudson (United Kingdom)
Wishing Team New Zealand all the best for the next couple of races. From Brenda Hudson.
Ross (USA)
From an ex-pat in North East Pennsylvania, USA. Keep sailing the way you are and you will bring the "Old Mug" home. Go Kiwis.
Leonie (Germany)
Good one guys. Keep it up. Unfortunately they are not showing too much here in Germany, so only get to know what's happening on the internet.
Poppy
Bring us back our silverware. The table looks bare.
Jaffa (England)
Come on New Zealand! I was lucky enough to see you in practise in Valencia in March. Got some wicked photos. It was a sight to see, now bring it home Team, where it belongs!
Mon
Just waiting for the fifth LV cup final race to start. Not many poms interested in the cup - their loss. Good luck and win, win, win.
Daqvid And Carolyn (China)
As expats living and working in China we only get to know the results through the internet and it is with baited breathe we check every morning. The team is going magnificently - keep it going all the way.
Stacy (Texas, USA)
I'm not a Kiwi (bad luck there!), but I am a huge Team New Zealand fan, so I'm sending all kinds of Texan best wishes to the team from our family. Go Kiwis! Bring that cup home, mates!
Lethal
Go the mighty black boat. I love you Team New Zealand. I've got my red socks on and my red undies. I borrowed them off my wife.
Marxie
4-0! Go you good things! Dean - Perfect, Dalton - Perfect, Waddell - Bambie?
Eligae (Greenwich, England)
Four down, one to go. well done Kiwis. We are cheering in London town.
Stephen (Edmonton, Canada)
Best of luck Team New Zealand. Congratulations on your success so far and best wishes for the upcoming races. Bring the America's Cup back to NZ where it belongs.
Brad
Way to go guys - good luck and bring the cup home.
Justin (Chicago)
Keep your eye on the ball, and save something for the final, but make sure you win.
Bruce Enns (USA)
Good gravy man, I didn't know Grant was planning a clean sweep! I sure hope someone stuck a broom down below. Go ETNZ!
Alan Kitto
Keep it up guys, then stick it up Butterworth & his buddies.
Elaine Keenan(USA)
Well done Team NZ, love watching the races.
Young Kiwi
Dear Team NZ, well done! You are our heros. We are proud of you all. We have no doubt to see the cup back here in NZ! We are praying for your well deserved win. All the very best!
Carol Edwards
Whoa! What a team effort! You make NZ proud. Good luck.
Lynda
Go boys go, you can do it!
The Third Person
I don't mind the sleepless nights, but it looks like only one more and then a well earned rest for a bit. Congratulations on four in a row and good luck for tonight!
Proud Kiwi
Wonderful stuff guys and you're making us all very proud to have such a wonderful team competing to world class standards. Now keep it up and bring the thing home for there's a cold beer waiting for ya at the viaduct!
Xanctus
Go Team New Zealand, beat Luna Rossa! One more race, make it prefect 5-zip win.
Graydon family
Great stuff Grant, Dean and the team. It has been an absolute pleasure to watch the LV Cup final so far and I'm sure we'll make it through to the 'big race'. Well done on all the hard work, commitment and humility shown to date. Bring it home boys!
Syd e waks (Kaitaia)
Kiaora to Dean Barker and Team NZ. I have been getting up at 1250am every morning to watch you race and have really enjoyed doing it, except starting work at 6am ain't too great ha ha ha ha ha. You and the team are doing an awesome job and every time you win it makes me proud to be a kiwi. So keep up the good work, I know you can do it. kia kaha.
Digby
Well done Guys. You are going great against Luna Rossa! Lets hope you can do the same to Alinghi! Best Wishes.
Katie (Auckland)
Well done Team NZ, you're doing us all proud!
Optimus Prime
If we win the Auld Mug I hope we don't lose it to Russell Coutts again in 2011. What's to bet Oracle will sign up Russell. Anyway congrats to Team New Zealand.
Kane Pohio
Team New Zealand has done an awesome job and showed the world what great sailors and sports people we are. I hope they go on to annihilate Alingi and give it to those few that jumped the boat and now sail for Alingi. America's Cup will once again be New Zealand's Cup.
Khash
I hope you win the cup for NZ and hope u's the best.
Austin (Auckland)
No matter what happens from here, Team NZ can come home with their heads held high. You've made us all proud to be Kiwi. Give it heaps guys, bring home that cup!
Bernhard Schrag
Team NZ go go go! Lets bring the Cup back. Then change the rules so that teams can only have a maximum of two foreigner per boat. Only that way can we prevent another fiasco as the Coutts/Butterworth desertion. It would also eliminate Alinghi as you can not sail an America's Cup boat with only one lonely Swiss.
Gareth, (Auckland, ex-Lymington)
To Ben Ainslie (Team NZ crewmember): It's great to see you (and somebody from Lymington) in the Team NZ lineup. I learned to sail on oppies at Salterns and then joined LTYC so had heard alot about your skill already. You've always got a special cheer when you've won Gold in the Olympics but seeing you on a winning Team New Zealand, America's Cup boat would be the very best of all. I know they'd be a huge party at places like the Kings Head and Chequers but nothing like the craq that you'd see on your welcome home parade back in NZ. All the best with the last race and I'm hoping to see you on the winning boat trouncing the Swiss 5-0 too.
Sealegs (Castor Bay, Auckland)
Go ETNZ! Go hard! Cant wait to get there. I arrive in Valencia 22/06 and bringing my NZ banners with me. I'm looking forward to watching you practice on the Hauraki Gulf again. Bring it home. Thanks to Julie Ash (NZ Herald) for great coverage. Really enjoy reading your reviews. Your commentary is great. If I sleep through the racing your column is the one I head for a review. Thanks.
Angela Kiwi (Canada)
Good luck Team NZ from a Kiwi living in Canada, where most of the population doesn't know what the America's Cup is! Thought I would be lucky in getting up-to-date info on the Cup, whilst briefly visiting here in Australia, but alas, they seem to have even less interest here! Nothing in the daily papers or on TV here! I assume, due to the fact that there are no Aussies on the scene! Hope my future return to NZ will be for another great AC event!
Garey (Salta, Argentina)
Go NZ. We are proud to be New Zealanders. All the best from Argentina.
Fran (Brisbane, Australia)
I have been reading the events mainly through the NZ Herald. I am so proud of the way Team NZ are performing that I email photos to countrymen as well as friends. I have not seen as yet, a broadcast in Brisbane regarding the Cup. Looks like I will be reading the events through paper. Go Team NZ, hope you will eventually take home the big one.
Tauranga
You guys are legends, bring it on.
Albert (USA)
Is great to see that Emirates Team NZ have got to this point in the race. The whole team are the best and only deserve the best. I can't wait for these finals to prove ETNZ has pulled a perfect win, and I think they will. This then will put them in the position I have been waiting for, to race against the team that took the cup from NZ. I know we cannot count chickens, but let's hope they win again in the America's Cup and take the cup back to a place it should have never left. The greatest of luck to ETNZ and New Zealand.
Sharon (Melbourne)
Enjoy the experience, we are watching from Melbourne online and wish the team the best of luck. Happy sailing and reap the rewards of your labour.Dickinson Family
Aitch (New York)
Team NZ, you are truly doing your country proud. I am enjoying watching the action in New York and giving every Italian and American who will listen to me quite an ear full! You've done phenomenal to get where you are - well done. Will be following every step to the end.
Eunice (Forrest Hill School, North Shore, Auckland)
Go Team New Zealand! I watched you guys on Wednesday and you guys were awesome! You rocked! I hope you bring back the America's Cup.P.S. I thought you might lose - but you didn't! (Wish you luck!)
Liz Murray
You look magnificent out there. We're so proud of you
Noddy from New Zealand
You guys are great! Go for it!! Looking forward to you all taking on Alingi in the next challenge. We need to bring it home guys. Good Luck we are all voting for you over here. Team New Zealand You Can Do It.
Kim Hutcheson (Sydney)
Bring it back home to NZ guys. I can remember '95 in San Diego like it was yesterday.
Rhysco, (Auckland)
Good luck Team New Zealand! I've been watching since 2004, reading every article and watching every news segment. God speed
Pare(Auckland, City of Sails)
Kool! Kiwi's Kia Kaha, you sure are!
Paula (Auckland)
Go the Black Boat! I'm picking 5 zip for the Louis Vuitton and 5 zip for the America's Cup. Bring it back where it belongs - brilliant sailing, teamwork, tactics, you guys haven't put a foot wrong. Can't wait for 2011 and seeing you guys race at a decent hour of the day :-)
Samoan Sailor
Congraduations to team New Zheeland. Many abbreciated to you ghuys akainst the Italian team "brother". If you win the Gup. Then Team Samoa can challenge. Hobefully we have enuff funds and sponsors like Macatonalds and Kay-Eff-Sea to pack us for 2011. Eye kant beelive it!
Trev (Auckland)
Deanos on a mission. Go Team NZ
Roberto Greenhill
I hope that the America's Cup returns to NZ. One more and the LV cup is Kiwi. Good job and luck tomorrow
Kane Pohio (Hamilton)
Team New Zealand has done an awesome job and showed the world what great sailors and sports people we are. I hope they go on to annihilate Alingi and give it to those few that jumped the boat and now sail for Alingi. America's Cup is once again New Zealand's Cup.
Ohn McElhinney
While we cannot watch it live we can follow it on americascupanywhere.com. It is being keenly talked about here and we wish Team NZ all the best wishes we can muster for bringing the cup "Home" to NZ.
Nana Nade (Auckland)
Congrats on 4 zip to Team NZ. Best wishes and good luck to our team to bring the Auld Mug home! "Rere pono, rere tika, te Waka o Aotearoa. Kia Kaha, kia u, kia manawanui."
Jo Marshall
Go for it Team New Zealand. I have worn my red socks for all your races so far in the finals for the Louis Vuitton Cup and will wear them for the finals in the America's Cup race. Bring the Auld Mug back home guys.
The Canadians (Canada)
Every morning we turn on the computer to the NZ Herald to check on your winnings. We are pulling for you and wish you best of luck all the way through.Bruce and Marlene
Ex Kiwi Tuakau (Australia)
No coverage whatsoever here in Australia because they haven't got a yacht in! Have got the red socks on ready. Go guys, just great.
Sandy (Brisbane)
Go Team NZ. All us kiwis in Australia will be cheering for you. Show the rest of the world what we are made of.Go you good things!
Ali Koerselman
You make me more proud to be a Kiwi than I ever thought imagineable! Keep up the good work and bring that Cup home to where it belongs!
Becca (North Shore)
Bring the Cup back. You guys are doing great. Me and my family are chearing for you. Way betta than last time. Wish you all the best. We all are winners.
Hanz and Charly (Auckland)
Hanz: Good luck in the future races. Hope you bring home that cup for New Zealand. Good luck!
Charly: You were great in the past races and I hope you do well in the next ones. Good luck!
Daryl, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
To Grant and the whole ETNZ team, it has been an absolute pleasure watching the final series. Your commitment, hard work and dedication are an inspiration to all New Zealanders, not only back home but around the world. As a Kiwi living in Malaysia, I'm proud of what our tiny nation has achieved. What ever happens, you're still our Team NZ, Bring it home boys!
Westie
Well done Team NZ. I am sure Sir Peter Blake is looking down upon you all with tears of pride at your achievements.After tonight it will be Alinghi to deal with. Good luck and kick the Swiss where it hurts. Just don't celebrate until the Auld Mug is definitely in NZ where it belongs. I am sure Alinghi will try to give everyone in Team NZ a feeling that they are having problems with their yacht. I would be cautious of such news as it could be a tactic of theirs.Other than that we are all missing our sleep especially on week days.
Beth
Yes!
Go Team NZ - one more race and then The Cup.Bring it home and we'll all stand behind and puff up the wind you need.
Macdonald Family - Auckland
Team NZ you're the biggest news in our family - our 7 yr old has the big poster up (over spongebob!) in his room, our 5 yr old wakes each morning and she asks about 'the boat' - we're so proud to be supporting a professional, focussed and talented team and we just can't wait for you to bring it home!
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