Sunday, September 29, 2013

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...