Team New Zealand have thanked Kiwis for their "unbelievable" support during the America's Cup and
The team successfully scored a crucial win over Luna Rossa on Auckland's Hauraki Gulf on Wednesday to complete a 7-3 series victory and retain the 'Auld Mug'.
During a press conference later in the day, skipper and helmsman for Team NZ Peter Burling acknowledged Kiwis' support throughout the regatta.
"I think it's been an amazing experience for us as a team to be able to compete in an event like this on home soil," he said.
"We'd also like to really thank the New Zealand public for their support in the event. It's been absolutely amazing every day to go out and to see more and more boats out on the water and more people in the village."
Burling says walking through the crowd of spectators after the race was "unbelievable", and adds the win is only beginning to sink in.
Although the teams got to compete in the final race in front of a bustling crowd, part of the America's Cup regatta went ahead under Alert Level 2, after Auckland went into lockdown. Burling says it was good to get back to Level 1 and finish the series with a large group of supporters watching.
"To see the way COVID's changed the normality of the way we live, to be able to still have an event like this in New Zealand I think is a full credit to everyone that lives here, the Government, and everyone trying to keep our country COVID-free."
