More glory for Team NZ sailors

Team New Zealand continue to win international awards on the back of their stunning America’s Cup success, landing a major gong at the prestigious London Boat Show.

The Kiwis, who beat Oracle Team USA 7-1 to reclaim the Auld Mug in Bermuda, claimed the racing performance category at the Yachts & Yachting Awards.

The British magazine, published since 1947, runs the annual awards and was glowing in its praise of Emirates Team New Zealand.

‘‘These plucky Kiwis [and Australian skipper/wing trimmer Glenn Ashby] scarcely need introduction,’’ it said in announcing the win at the show where it ran replays of the team’s pedalpowered foiling catamaran.

‘‘The New Zealanders managed to overcome budgetary problems, logistical challenges and a range of significant differences in opinion with both the then defender Oracle Team USA and the other challengers to win the America’s Cup.

‘‘They achieved the victory by ‘throwing the design ball as far away as they could and trying to get to it’ in the words of team CEO Grant Dalton. They were vastly superior to all other teams at the event, made up of some of the finest sailors and designers on the planet.

‘‘It was clear from race one they were in another league and, for all the excitement of the regatta, it never looked likely anyone else would be drinking champagne from the auld mug come the end of proceedings.’’

Team New Zealand beat France’s Vendee Globe winner Armel Le Cleach, Britain’s new 49er stars Dylan Fletcher and Stu Bithell, Ben Ainslie Racing’s youth academy crew who won the Youth America’s Cup, and British offshore racing outfit Concise for the award.

Team New Zealand scooped the honours at the recent Yachting New Zealand Awards and helmsman Burling was named world sailor of the year, beating Ashby for that gong. Burling was also named foiling sailor of the year.

They are finalists in the team and favourite 2017 sporting moment categories at the upcoming Halberg Awards.