Emirates Team New Zealand, returning after a crushing come-from-behind loss to Oracle Team USA during the 34th America’s Cup in 2013, took the U.S. team to school during racing in Bermuda’s Great Sound, besting the Americans 7-1 and winning the 35th America’s Cup.
The Kiwi victory marks the first time since 2000 that New Zealand has won the Cup.
Helmsman Peter Burling and the rest of the New Zealand crew left no doubt about their capabilities at AC35, introducing the technical advance of a bicycle-style grinder system and becoming the first team to complete the course on foils. In one of today’s two races, the Kiwis beat the Americans by a smoldering 55 seconds — a display of dominance The New York Times described as “a rout” that capped off a “humbling” loss for Oracle Team USA owner Larry Ellison.
“It’s unreal,” Burling told New Zealand’s Stuff Sport. “This is exactly what we came here to do. I’m just on top of the world.”
Oracle Team USA Jimmy Spithill was understandably frustrated about the loss, but credited the Kiwis. “They made fewer mistakes and they fully deserve it,” he told Stuff Sport, “so our hats are off to them.”
Team New Zealand skipper Glenn Ashby — the only member of the 2017 Kiwi team who was also on the 2013 losing team — told The New York Times that victory in Bermuda was especially sweet this summer.
“It is a great redemption,” he said, “and I guess a relief to right the wrongs of the last campaign.”
For all the final racing statistics and details, visit www.americascup.com
