In an amazing evening at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Club on the waterfront at Westhaven Marina, overnight a large group (which the Boating NZ team was part of watching the biggest America’s Cup race of the year!).
We had an auditorium full of excited Boating folk – even as the coverage started and we were treated to only replays of previous races while the wind was found – the crowd cheered and horrayed as the races played out, just as they did the last time we watched them.
The atmosphere was electric – expectation and excitement combined with a glass of wine – few things better!
The Race Starts
As the race was announced and started, everyone became subdued: I think memories of the cup where we were so close only to lose every race until failure hit!
From the second and third leg, it became more and more clear our dominance was shining through – people started to cheer – and on the 6th leg, the final leg, what excitement!
Crossing the finish line, leadership had the celebratory bell ready and run it, confetti rained down – a very special few moments. The Champaign came out, everyone in the house was given a glass to toast the team, and the imminent return of the America’s Cup — New Zealand’s Cup!
