Magnificent New Zealand Victory

Today, Sunday at 14h50, we see some of the same exciting racing but also some new. There are thousands of Kiwi supporters in the America's Cup village, New Zealand flags, alpine cow bells, climbing picks and Maoris. At the first sound of the canon, we have the same sun, same atmosphere, and the same delirium. When Dean Barker and his team crossed the start line with a slight advantage, a clamor started up in the Port America’s Cup, and with a Haka air, we can hear “Kiwis, Kiwis, Kiwis!”

Then the same scenario repeats itself on the first leg, with the ringing of Swiss cowbells and waving red flags. Alinghi moves into the lead and holds onto it up until the middle of the second windward leg, 20 meters, 25 meters, and 50 meters ahead. People thought the regatta had been won, just like yesterdays, and the score would be 2-0 for the Swiss if the boats remained in contact. But the pressure mounts. The New Zealand and Maori cheering accompany the surge of the Team New Zealand boat. The Blacks arrive from the left; Alinghi tries to make them tack back away to the left side. But Dean Barker takes advantage of a small windshift to get on top of Alinghi’s wind and push them just out to the layline. The Kiwis go into the lead, 10 meters, 20 meters, crossing the last buoy in front of Alinghi. Unnecessary to say that the on the NZ side, the village is going crazy. They sing and dance all during the last leg. And when the New Zealanders take their first victory in the Cup since 2000, it is an apothecary. It is simply fantastic.

“Yesterday, I found the Kiwis were very impressive in their capacity to remain in contact. Today, once they had an opportunity, they seized on it. They are very strong!” commented Xavier de Lesquen

Fdb/LH-Valencia June 24 2007