The most read sports stories of 2017 - No.8 Grant Dalton's parting shot at Spithill

Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton. Photo / Nick Reed.

2017 produced a year full of weird and wonderful sports stories that have dominated headlines at the New Zealand Herald.

Here's the eighth 'most clicked' sports story by you, the readers, from the past 12 months.

Team New Zealand boss fires shot at Oracle after winning America's Cup

In the wake of securing their third America's Cup title from Oracle Team USA in June, Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton fired a parting shot to his controversial opposite Jimmy Spithill.

Speaking to Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking, Dalton said he did not care how Spithill was feeling after suffering his first America's Cup defeat.

"Frankly I couldn't care less about Spithill to tell you the truth," Dalton said.

"He was quite keen to get me ousted and probably has a good reason now. They did their best. The biggest software company in the world just got beaten by little old New Zealand software."

Dalton went on to state that unlike Oracle Team USA, Team New Zealand would respect how the America's Cup was run, and make it a fair event for all participating syndicates.

THE MOST READ

10) Peru victory against All Whites marred by 'disgusting act'

9) Jamie Whincup calls off wedding a day after bachelor party

Honourable mentions:

How Malakai Fekitoa had his future stolen

All Black Brodie Retallick considered tackling streaker during test match

'You dummies': US TV host Joe Rogan slams haka

Are Oracle Team USA set to launch a protest on Team New Zealand?

Aaron Smith sex scandal erupts again - was ABs management misled?