BARCELONA, Spain — Emirates Team New Zealand won the 37th America’s Cup by clinching match point for a 7-2 victory over INEOS Britannia on Saturday.
New Zealand’s eight-man crew embraced and cheered on the deck of the 75-foot Taihoro after holding Britannia off to win Race 9.
“It is just sinking in. What an amazing day, this team has been amazing, what an amazing feeling,” New Zealand skipper Peter Burling said after his America’s Cup finals record 22nd race win.
New Zealand secured a three-peat after also winning the oldest trophy in international sport in 2017 and 2021. It was the Pacific island nation’s fifth cup in total.
Burling and the New Zealand team posed behind a winner’s banner as a fleet of fan boats gathered around and sounded horns in celebration.
“It has been a huge journey and I have loved every minute of it,” New Zealand helmsman Nathan Outteridge said after his first cup title, compared to No 3. for Burling, his steering partner.
Britain has never won the America’s Cup in its 173-year history. They were competing in their first final in six decades.
“A huge well done to Team New Zealand, what an amazing campaign and team,” Britannia skipper Ben Ainslie said. “In my view they are the best team ever in the America’s Cup.
New Zealand dominated the best-of-13 final off the Barcelona beachfront by sweeping the first four races.
Britannia bounced back with two wins on the same day in choppy waters and light winds, but the Kiwis then ran off three straight victories to wrap it up.
“We had our moments in the finals but at the end of the day the better team won,” Ainslie said.
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