An amazing welcome home for Emirates Team New Zealand
by Emirates Team New Zealand 5 Oct 2013 08:10 BST
4 October 2013
A remarkable end to a remarkable challenge for the America's Cup.
Emirates Team New Zealand meets a few thousand of their supporters face-to-face in a vibrant, noisy and emotional ceremony.
It took place at Queens Wharf, in a recently refurbished historic cargo warehouse known as Shed 10, the venue of early morning public gatherings to watch San Francisco racing live.
Here they went race-by-race through the excitement and disappointment of the America's Cup match, every step of the way with their team.
And they let it be known it was their team. The outpouring of support was remarkable.... joy on every face, young and old, who managed to get a place inside the shed and the thousands more who lined nearby wharves
Their message to the team was one of pride; the ultimate prize may have eluded them, but they carried themselves with dignity, displayed good sportsmanship, and represented their country well.
The crowd made it clear that they wanted Emirates Team New Zealand to challenge for the 35th America's Cup. They applauded when Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce said the government wanted to support the team's next challenge.
He told the team and its supporters, "While you did not achieve everything you set out to, you won the hearts of this nation. Not only of our nation, but the hearts of the USA and everyone else who watched this contest?
"This country and this government stand ready to be part of the next America's Cup challenge.
He said he had told the team they had a lot of work to do. "Work on a proposal and we will help you out with it."
See more at etnzblog.com/#!2013/10/team-and-supporters-in-emotional-face-to-face