THE DISRUPTORS

AFTER AN UNPREDICTABLE MATCH, EMIRATES TEAM NEW ZEALAND DEFENDED THE 36TH AMERICA’S CUP – AND COULD ALREADY BE SHAKING THINGS UP FOR THE 37TH. MATTHEW SHEAHAN REPORTS FROM AUCKLAND

- MATTHEW SHEAHAN

After 25 minutes and 54 seconds of racing, Emirates Team New Zealand crossed the finish line in Race 10 of the 36th America’s Cup. As they did so, they took their seventh victory in the match series, and successfully defended their status as holders of the oldest trophy in international sport.

Emirates Team New Zealand, representing a country of just 5 million people, have won four of the past eight Cups. They’ve succeeded four times out of 10 attempts since setting out on their first Cup crusade 34 years ago.

As the saying goes, ‘win the Cup and you make the rules’. But this victory brings an uncertain future. When the new defender lifted the 170-year-old silver trophy above their heads, they also took on responsibility for it in the future once again. That’s an obligation that can come with a hefty price tag, not just for mounting a defence, but hosting the next event.

NATIONAL PRIDE

Emirates Team New Zealand’s final performance was their most impressive. In front of several thousand boats on the water and a local TV audience reported to be around 1.9 million, the deciding race delivered a thumping response to accusations that their tactics and boat handling had been loose at times. It shrugged off any suggestion that they were unable to get the upper hand in the pre-start. But most clearly of all, it delivered confirmation that their boat Te Rehutai was every bit as slippery as the simulator data had suggested.