America's Cup 2013 - ETNZ: Team New Zealand Returns to Heroes' Welcome!

Tears and Cheers as Team New Zealand Returns Home: 
12:21PM Monday September 30, 2013, Source: ONE News

 Dean Barker Receives Hero's Welcome: 06:42AM Monday Sept 30, 2013, Source: ONE News

 

Interview with Dean Barker: Published 07:15AM Monday Sept 30, 2013, Source: ONE News

Calls for celebration as Team NZ skipper and sailors return home
NZ Herald 8:22 AM Monday Sep 30, 2013

"Grinder, Waddell (on the left, against a backdrop of red socks, photo above) - said challenging for the America's Cup, particularly as the regatta continued for so long, was "testing'' and "tough'' - like "having an Olympic final every single day''.

"We were quite focused and trying to do the best we could, and it was humbling to see how much New Zealanders supported it and how much they were into it.

"We could certainly feel that support from over there, a huge contingent of New Zealanders came over throughout a large part of the regatta and all the messages of support you could see in the media, it was great, we are thrilled with that.''  Source: .nzherald.co.nz

"Team New Zealand crew members touched down on home soil this morning to a hero's welcome.

"Skipper Dean Barker said the reaction from fans was "mind blowing".

"Hundreds of fans camped out at Auckland Airport from before 5.30am to catch the team coming off their plane from San Francisco.

"Loud cheers erupted as the Kiwi team walked through the arrival gates to be met by family after almost five months away from home.

"Dedicated Team NZ followers travelled from as far as Tokoroa for a chance to meet their heroes. Draped in New Zealand flags, many still wearing their red socks, they waved banners and signs as they welcomed the team home...."  Source: .nzherald.co.nz

 

 Dean Barker takes time out for adoring fans as he chats, autographs and has photos taken with them @ Auckland Airport: Monday Sept 30, 2013, Source: ONE News 

NZ Taxpayers Subsidised USA Ellison's (Oracle) 2013 Victory

America's Cup 2013: NZ Taxpayers Subsidised ORACLE / Ellison's Victory

NZH: By Bevan Hurley Puiblished 5:30 AM Sunday Sep 29, 2013

 

"Kiwi taxpayers subsidised American billionaire Larry Ellison's Oracle victory in the America's Cup with more than $1 million in grants and tax breaks for the New Zealand-based Core Builders, the company that built most of the winning boat.

"The company also received generous tax breaks, paying zero income tax for three years between 2009 and 2011.

"Financial statements also show employees and contractors will receive $2.3m in bonuses from the Oracle victory. Ellison's net worth is $53 billion, according to Forbes magazine.

"Air New Zealand also helped the US team with to make their daggerboards (but dcclined when Team NZ asked for help. 'The airline had the only autoclave machinery in the country capable of producing the specific designs required by the Kiwi sailors'...)..."  Read more

"SNUBBED: Team New Zealand's catamaran was built without the help of Air New Zealand, who rejected a request for assistance and helped rival Oracle instead." Courtesy of stuff.co.nz

America's Cup 2013: News Coverage - After the Auld Mug...

No Cup, but plenty (12 Reasons for Team NZ) to be Proud of in San Fran
NZH: Published 5:30 AM Friday Sep 27, 2013

 

 

Tom Cruise popped into Tony Stewart's pop-up restaurant, Waiheke Island Yacht Club, in San Francisco after Team NZ took him for a spin on the bay. Courtesy of NZH.

 

America's Cup 2013: Hopes of Nation a mighty Burden; Tributes to Team NZ

The New Zealand Herald: By Paul Lewis, 5:30 AM Friday Sep 27, 2013

 

Dean Barker
"Grant has been a great leader," says Barker. "He's been an inspiration to me personally and he's created an amazing environment. This has been the best team I have ever been involved with. I have loved every single moment of the campaign, apart from the last 25 minutes or so..."

Mandy Barker
"Mandy Barker says her husband, Dean, and his crew will quickly bounce back from their America's Cup disappointment...."

Larry Ellison
Oracle's billionaire backer Larry Ellison called Barker a "champion" and a "great sailor". He added: "No one should have the weight of the nation on his shoulders like Dean Barker." He also said: "America's Cup without New Zealand - it's just impossible to conceive of that." Of Team NZ he said: "What a great team, what a great sailing nation."

Russell Coutts
Oracle chief executive Sir Russell Coutts told TVNZ : "I don't believe there will [be an America's Cup without Team NZ], there might be some changes in Team New Zealand but it's clearly a team that does a lot of good for the country. What people in New Zealand have got to realise is it was one of the best if not [the best]. "

Paul Lewis
"It wasn't he (Dean Barker) who made the Oracle boat faster. Take a look at the video of the last, deciding race. Barker sails almost the perfect race. He wins the start in copybook fashion... The only reason Team NZ lost that race, and the Cup, is boat speed."   Read more...

Editorial: Barker must remember there's no 'i' in defeat

The New Zealand Herald: Published 5:30 AM Saturday Sep 28, 2013

 

   

America's Cup 2013: Coutts 'not going to rush any decisions' (about the future)

The New Zealand Herald: Published 6:19 PM Sunday Sep 29, 2013

America's Cup: ETNZ - Live from San Francisco - Skipper Dean Barker

 Interview with Dean Barker 27-9-2013 Friday:

Published: 7:22AM Friday September 27, 2013 Source: ONE News

Dean Barker: "I hope Team NZ has a future" 

 

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Uncertainty over Team NZ's Cup future

 Published: 7:54AM Friday September 27, 2013 Source: Fairfax

Team New Zealand's future in the America's Cup is murky
with boss Grant Dalton unsure if he has the energy to mount another campaign. 

"I think Team New Zealand brings such a huge amount of credibility to any America's Cup event," Barker said. 

..................................................

 Kim Dotcom prepared to put millions behind Team NZ

Published: 9:19AM Friday September 27, 2013 Source: ONE News

America's Cup 2013: "Semi-Finals" Wednesday Sep 25, 2013

Dean Barker: 'It's frustrating'

 Published: 1:46 PM Wednesday Sep 25, 2013 

 

Back to the drawing board - skill versus tech would be the way to go for this sport to survive.

There's hardly anyone who can afford to race in the AC - there's no competition except for a little, under-resourced country!  Time to wind down this sport?

You can see the other boat is faster (by at least 50s!) ... and not because of skill!!

Time to get back to the mono-hull and allow all the other nations to compete!