No Dalton, no Cup

What a fabulous week for New Zealand sport — I still can’t quite believe we’ve won back the America’s Cup.

In amongst the sounds of popping corks and elated crew and family members in Bermuda, there was Grant Dalton — the straight shooter, as always.

When asked what he thought of Jimmy Spithill, Dalton fired back: “I don’t care about Spithill . . . he tried and failed to get rid of me.”

Once again, he put himself in the firing line for lacking decorum and respect.

This email from Claire summed it up: “Dalton shamed us all.”

I get that he may have got his timing off on this one. But there is no doubt in my mind that Spithill and Oracle launched an orchestrated campaign to get rid of the Team New Zealand chief executive.

He was a pain in their backsides, challenging Oracle’s every move around the Deed of Gift.

I remember the day Spithill was on my NewstalkZB show and the entire tone of his message was that Dalton was bad for Team NZ and the America’s Cup, and that his ego was out of control.

Spithill even rattled off the names of several Kiwi sailors he said were better equipped to take Team NZ forward.

At the time, I thought it odd that the Cup holders were so intent on trying to get rid of another team’s CEO.

I’ve no doubt that if Spithill and Coutts had their way, Dean Barker would’ve been running Team NZ.

Dalton knew he was a target and also realised the weight of public opinion had turned massively against him after losing from 8-1 up four years ago.

Should Dalton have held his tongue when asked about Spithill? Maybe, but that’s not his way.

He was asked a question and told the truth — Spithill wanted him gone.

The fact we’re even talking about this is sad when we should be celebrating one of New Zealand sport’s greatest redemption stories.

But Dalton is old school — he speaks his mind and takes no prisoners. He’s not your typical low-key Kiwi but would that type of person have kept this campaign together after so many disappointments?

Without Grant Dalton, we would not have won back the America’s Cup.