Philosophical Kiwis eye another tilt
WELLINGTON: New Zealand was in philosophical mood yesterday after its team's defeat at the hands of Alinghi in the America's Cup, with Kiwis already setting their sights on another tilt at winning back sailing's "Auld Mug".
Switzerland's Alinghi retained yachting's oldest prize, which it took from New Zealand in 2003, clinching a nailbiting one second win in Valencia on Tuesday to take the series 5-2.
But unlike the 2003 defeat, when a 5-0 drubbing for Team New Zealand in home waters prompted national despair, the reaction from Kiwis was one of pride in the effort and a feeling it was worth trying again.
"The dream is over," said the New Zealand Herald newspaper, whose respondents to an online survey backed New Zealand to have another challenge.
"We would be crazy not to," one person said, with some describing the New Zealand team as heroes, while others pointed to the five Kiwi sailors aboard Alinghi, including the skipper Brad Butterworth, as proof of the skill of the country's sailors.
Auckland Mayor Dick Hubbard, whose city would have likely hosted the Cup defence had New Zealand won, said the team had done the country proud.
"Winning the Louis Vuitton Cup and pushing Alinghi to their limits in the America's Cup final is a significant achievement and should be recognized," he said in a statement.
Some New Zealand sports fans had been resigned to the result.
"Not overly surprising because Alinghi were pretty strong, but we did the best we could," Jacob Sullivan, a project manager from Wellington, told Reuters.
Sullivan said it was definitely worth another challenge, after coming so close this time.
"It's got to happen, we're building maturity in the team," he said.
Vice Commodore Dave Roberts of Wellington's Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club said it was a disappointing result, but good to see such a close contest.
"Looking at it philosophically, sailing was the winner on the day."
Agencies
(China Daily 07/05/2007 page23)
