"We're on top of the world." Team New Zealand helmsman Peter Burling, 26 - the youngest person to win the race for the America's Cup - put it nicely after comfortably beating Oracle Team USA in the dash for the Auld Mug today.
Team NZ is bringing the Auld Mug home after 14 years away with a 7-1 win over Oracle Team USA in Bermuda. Photo: AFP
The victory quells the nightmare of four years ago when Jimmy Spithill and his crew turned an 8-1 deficit against Team New Zealand into a 9-8 victory and a successful defence of the oldest trophy in international sport.
Team New Zealand helmsman Peter Burling was elated.
"It's just unreal. It's exactly what we came here to do and we're just on top of the world.
"It's been three years of hard work from so many people in this team and this exactly what we came here for."
Peter Burling on winning the americas cup @rnz_news pic.twitter.com/IhFtHxVkxf
— Todd Niall (@toddniall) June 26, 2017
It was heartache for Team USA's helmsman, Australian Jimmy Spithill, who fought back the tears while being gracious in defeat.
"What a series. [They] made fewer mistakes and they fully deserve it, so our hats are off to them.
"You've really got to give credit to what an incredible job they've done but let's not forget they also sailed very, very well."
Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton said the team had battled serious adversity and had to think outside the square.
Grant Dalton on winning the cup @rnz_news pic.twitter.com/YEihSjn04c
— Todd Niall (@toddniall) June 26, 2017
"After [the defeat in] San Francisco we knew we couldn't outspend them [Oracle].
"If they outspent us five to one, if they needed to go to seven-to-one they would, so we had to out-think them." San Francisco taught them they were out-designed and they had to "throw the ball out as far as we can and see if we and get to it " and have no restriction on design. "And just see what we can do here."
It's the first time New Zealand has held the Auld Mug since 2003.
