Something for fans to cheer

By SCOTT KARA and CHRIS DANIELS

It has been a long wait, but fans yesterday finally had the chance to give a rapturous welcome to a victorious New Zealand America's Cup team at the Viaduct Basin.

Thousands joined in yesterday's rousing welcome cheer, accompanied by marine horns and hooters, for the black boat entering the basin under tow.

"It could be all over by Friday," said one woman.

One hand clasping a cellphone to his ear, the other waving regally to the adoring crowds, Sir Peter Blake stood atop the official Team New Zealand headquarters boat and clearly loved the sight.

The Viaduct Basin hosted more than 110,000 weekend visitors, said organisers - 52,000 on Saturday, 60,000 on Sunday.

Many had travelled from the Waikato or north of Auckland to join the throng of overseas visitors loving the hot weekend sun.

Fans appeared smugly convinced that yesterday's first race win for Team New Zealand was a sure sign that the Viaduct Basin would remain the home of the America's Cup far beyond next week.

But a group of 10 Italian supporters - forever smiling, even in defeat - were not so sure. They said not to write off Prada yet.

"Don't underestimate us," said Alessandro Fantoni.

The Italians did admit Black Magic looked slick in the water. "It looks like Team New Zealand is pretty fast," said one.

Federica Boccotti said it probably would not bother the group either way who won, because they love New Zealand as well.

"The best part of it was beating the Americans," she said.

Even after travelling thousands of kilometres from the Italian island of Sardinia, Paola and Piero Tali were smiling and laughing.

They desperately want Prada to win but will enjoy their month-long holiday in New Zealand no matter what, they said.

Ms Boccotti remained optimistic. "There is an old Italian saying: The yacht that starts slow will go a long way," she said. "And there is also another: The first race is for children and the rest of the races are for real men."

Auckland man Paul Le Grice, who last saw America's Cup racing in San Diego five years ago, was full of praise for the Viaduct Basin, its crowds and the spirit of New Zealand yachting fans.

"San Diego was nothing like this. All the teams were based miles from each other - there was no focus. This is great."

Dave Archibald and his family came from Tauranga for a sporting weekend, but it was the Kiwi sailors, rather than the cricketers, who made their trip worthwhile.

"It was fizzing down here. New Zealand's finally winning something."