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VALENCIA - Swiss newspapers today hailed the dramatic way Alinghi's defence of the America's Cup against Team New Zealand unfolded off Valencia over the past 1-1/2 weeks.
Le Temps said the final moments of the deciding race on Wednesday, won by Alinghi by just one second after Team NZ completed a penalty turn near the finish line, was like watching a slow-motion clip of a 100m sprint.
"Time had suspended its flight. Hearts had ceased to beat. The last moments of what would become the final race of this 32nd America's Cup will stay engraved in the memory," it said.
"The intensity of this edition overall, with its comebacks, changes of lead and duels decided by a handful of seconds, has written a new exceptional chapter in the history of the oldest sporting competition."
Le Matin said one short moment on Wednesday had turned suspense into incredible euphoria for Swiss fans.
It wondered if sailing could still be labelled a pleasure for the rich or the mercenary, noting that the America's Cup had attracted almost 50 per cent of the television audience share in Switzerland, or similar to when tennis great Roger Federer was involved in a big match.
It described Alinghi boss Ernesto Bertarelli as a demanding and private person, who was both loved and hated.
"Today, however, Alinghi have more real admirers than ever in Switzerland. And if Alinghi exists and won today, that's thanks to Ernesto Bertarelli."
The Tribune de Geneve said Team NZ had been adversaries of the highest order in an event that had taken on a new dimension on its return to Europe.
Alinghi, who had gone as favourites, would not have imagined that winning the cup again would require the expending of so much energy, it said.
They would savour their new triumph with the satisfaction of having completed a difficult campaign without New Zealand skipper Russell Coutts, who had played a decisive part in the syndicate's first success in Auckland four years ago.
- NZPA
