Initially led 3 heats to 2, the Kiwi crew has chained five successes in a row since Saturday to finally win 7-3.
It offers the archipelago a fourth coronation, after 1995, 2000 and 2017, in one of the oldest competitions in the world, an institution which is celebrating its 170 years this year.
« It’s completely unreal, it’s a huge satisfaction for the team New Zealand coxswain Peter Burling said just after the victory.
The New Zealanders had hoped to kill the match on Tuesday, but Aeolus kept up the suspense and forced the tens of thousands of fans gathered on the shores of Auckland to put away the champagne. A shift in the direction of the wind had indeed pushed the organizers to postpone the 10th round for a day.
And on Wednesday, Luna Rossa never seemed able to make the Kiwis doubt, Team New Zealand finally crossing the finish line with 46 seconds in advance, plunging into jubilation a city released from confinement linked to the coronavirus it does not. only 11 days ago.
This victory establishes New Zealand’s status as the dominant force in an event, in which she took part in seven of the last eight editions.
“The New Zealand Cup”
The archipelago is the second most successful country after the United States which reigned supreme over the competition between 1851 and 1983. Hence the satisfaction of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
« Team New Zealand makes us so proud again by making the America’s Cup New Zealand’s Cup
She said.
The sixth Italian campaign ends again in bitterness for Luna Rossa, who won the Prada Cup in February – qualifying for the America’s Cup – in the face of the British and American challenges.
« It is not finished
Said Italian co-helmsman Francesco Bruni. ” I’m sure Luna Rossa will try again. »
The Italian challenge will at least have succeeded in making lie its despisers who announced a 7-0 for the New Zealanders.
He could have even threatened the Kiwis a little more without some fatal tactical errors at several key points in the last five innings.
“Beautiful boats”
Luna Rossa’s other co-driver, Australian Jimmy Spithill, who torpedoed New Zealand hopes in Oracle’s 9-8 Cup win in 2013, judged the victory ” deserved » pour Team New Zealand.
« Of course you will have to go have a beer with the Kiwis to pay them homage Said the Sydney native.
« But we have to thank all our teammates who have put in so much effort to allow us to be here and to fight for the America’s Cup. »
Ms. Ardern, she announced that her government would unblock five million New Zealand dollars (three million euros) to allow Team New Zealand to defend the Cup in its next edition, expected in 2024.
The goal will be above all to avoid being stripped of its best elements by foreign challenges with larger budgets.
The whole question, from now on, will be to know the format of the next edition.
As the title holders, the Kiwis will have the choice of weapons, rules and the water body. They have already made it known that they will consider applications from foreign cities to host the rounds.
They should keep, at least in mind, the boats that made the show during this edition.
The Cup was won this year on futuristic 75-foot (23-meter) monohulls equipped with foils allowing them to ” want »Over the waves at 53 knots (nearly 100 km / h) peak.
Team New Zealand skipper Glenn Ashby spoke this week about mounts “ absolutely phenomenal ».
« They are beautiful boats, beautiful to see at rest, and beautiful to see when they are unleashed “, he said.
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