Burling keen to share cup win with rest of NZ

HAMILTON, Bermuda: Peter Burling is looking forward to ‘‘a pretty cool few weeks’’ sharing his America’s Cup win with the rest of New Zealand after celebrating the conclusion of a gruelling campaign with his opponent, Jimmy Spithill, in Bermuda.

The 26yearold calmly steered his way into yachting history on Monday, demolishing Spithill’s Oracle to win the trophy.

‘‘It was our goal and dream to come here and win the America’s Cup and to have it sitting there and have it in the morning meeting when we all got together after a bit of recovery from last night, we’re just blown away,’’ Burling said.

The celebrations in the New Zealand team’s shed, where it has kept its spaceage 50foot catamaran and wing sail were ‘‘pretty low key’’, with crew members only realising how drained they were once the adrenaline wore off.

‘‘We finally realised how tired we were and how most of us didn’t really have that much energy to carry on,’’ Burling said.

Burling said the losing US team led by his ‘‘good friend’’ Spithill, who until the Kiwi victory had been the youngest helmsman to win the oldest trophy in international sport, had joined the New Zealanders in their celebration.

‘‘They came over and said congrats last night and we invited them in. It was pretty cool to be able to share it with them.’’

Meanwhile, the team has started selling off gear in Bermuda, while a big welcome parade is planned in Auckland next Thursday.

The first victory event will be held in Auckland from noon on July 6 and will be on land and on water, Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development chief executive Brett O’Reilly told Three.

‘‘We really want to make this our greatest welcome home,’’ he said.

It is also likely the winning team will be at the third test of the British and Irish Lions tour at Eden Park.

A civic parade and homecoming for winning America’s Cup helmsman Peter Burling is being organised by Tauranga Mayor Greg Brownless.

Wellington Mayor Justin Lester is keen on a parade in the capital as well and is already talking up its merits as a potential venue for an America’s Cup defence.

‘‘Christchurch would love to put on a celebratory parade for our America’s Cup champions,’’ mayor Lianne Dalziel has tweeted.

Dunedin is also keen to do something to mark the occasion.

Back in Bermuda, just a day after lifting the America’s Cup for a third time, Team New Zealand is selling three support boats.

‘‘It’s time to let these three wellloved babies go from the team,’’ a listing on Bermuda website Emoo.bm reads.

The most expensive boat is selling for $US60,000 ($NZ82,500). — Reuters/NZN