New Zealand holds the America’s Cup
Auckland. Thousands of boats were crowded with spectators in the Auckland harbor. Viewed by hundreds of thousands of people, there was almost no space on Earth when New Zealand sailing champions around helmsman Peter Burling paved their way to the awards ceremony after completing their fourth America’s Cup coup.
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With century parties, champagne fountains and flags waving, the tiny country celebrated the successful defense of the oldest trophy in the international sporting world by the New Zealand team against rival Italy on Wednesday in the midst of the Corona pandemic. “It means the world to us as a team,” said the 30-year-old Berling after the decisive victory in the tenth race. In the 36th game in the cup’s 170-year history, the New Zealand barely gave the Italians a 7-3 chance. The New Zealand crew aboard the “Te Rehutai” scored the decisive point in their first attempt on Wednesday, 46 seconds behind the “Luna Rossa”.
New Zealand’s fight against Corona, which is considered a model, has allowed many onlookers to gather for group chants. Against a stunning backdrop, the trophy defenders affirmed the old America’s Cup rule on the seventh and final day of the race: The fastest boat in a team design competition is the winner. 26 years after their first Cup win, this is New Zealand’s fourth win. In addition to 1995 and this year, the sailors have also succeeded in 2000 and 2017. The Kiwi national team has been working to secure a successful home game for three and a half years since their last win over Bermuda.
New boat class direct hit
The introduction of the new futuristic boat class AC75 with single-hull flying machines on the wings proved to be a direct hit. “The class was a huge success,” said Martin Fischer (58), Sealy-born physicist in the design department of the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team. “It was a good choice and it’s far from exhausting, and still exciting.” The Italian racing team, defeated on the sixth attempt by billionaire Patrizio Bertelli, wants to remain faithful to the Copa America despite a renewed defeat. Assistant captain Francesco Bruni (47) said: “The situation is difficult today, but it is not over yet.” “Patrizio Bertelli continues. He told me so.” In New Zealand, the New Zealand team is called the “Five Million Team” because the people are united behind the most successful Cup team for nearly three decades. The government surrounding Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern congratulated the victory and immediately provided financial support for the upcoming defense. dpa