A Glorious Victory for New Zealand on the Global Stage
At NZT 6am today (20 Oct 2024) in Barcelona, the 37th America’s Cup prize-giving ceremony took place, marking a monumental occasion for New Zealand. Emirates Team New Zealand, led by Peter Burling, hoisted the Olde Mug for the third consecutive time, an achievement never before accomplished in the history of this prestigious regatta.
The Kiwis’ journey to victory was straightforward, from the first moment we saw them compete it was clear they were mountains above many of the other teams.
Early on, they had already demonstrated their strength in the Round-Robin matches, a new addition to this year’s Cup that saw New Zealand competing alongside the Challengers. Only once, in an upset against Luna Rossa, were they beaten—highlighting their dominance throughout the event.
INEOS Britannia’s Late Surge
For many, it seemed that Luna Rossa would be the ultimate Challenger, but fate had other plans. Equipment issues, tricky weather, and a steadily improving INEOS Britannia team turned the tide. The British team pushed through to face the Kiwis in the finals, a scenario that promised high drama.
New Zealand had stormed through the finals with four early victories, but the pressure was mounting as INEOS Britannia staged an impressive comeback, claiming two consecutive races. For many Kiwi fans, this brought back memories of the heartbreaking 2013 Cup, when New Zealand narrowly missed out on victory.
Race Day Drama: Kiwis Seal the Deal
Today, it was all on the line. Emirates Team New Zealand needed just one more win to secure the Cup, while INEOS Britannia faced a must-win scenario. The race began with INEOS jumping ahead at the start, crossing the line first. For the first half of leg 1, the lead changed hands multiple times, creating an electrifying atmosphere on the water.
However, halfway through the leg, the Kiwis hit their stride. With a burst of speed, they surged ahead, leaving INEOS in their wake. By the time they reached the final gate, Emirates Team New Zealand had pulled away decisively. Though INEOS managed to claw back a few metres, they never truly posed a serious threat in the closing stages.
The Celebration in Barcelona
As the sun set over Barcelona, the prize-giving ceremony at 7pm local time was a fitting end to an epic campaign. INEOS Britannia, despite falling short, held their heads high, proud of their achievement as the closest British team since the birth of the Cup to reclaiming it for Britain.
When Emirates Team New Zealand took to the stage, they were greeted by a wave of applause. With the national anthem playing and the coveted America’s Cup in hand, champagne flowed freely, celebrating their well-deserved triumph. After the speeches and ovation, the Cup was lifted high in jubilation—soon to be on its way back home to the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.
What’s Next for New Zealand?
As the Kiwis bask in the glory of a historic three-peat, questions are already being asked about what lies ahead. Where will the next America’s Cup be held? Who will be the next Challenger? While speculation grows, one thing is certain: Emirates Team New Zealand’s victory will be remembered as one of the greatest moments in New Zealand’s sporting history.
For now, we celebrate our heroes. The team has not only brought the Cup home once more but has also inspired a nation. We eagerly await the announcement of the next venue and Challenger, but today, all of New Zealand can take pride in this incredible achievement.
Hip, Hip, Hooray for Emirates Team New Zealand! 🇳🇿🏆
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