But today they brought out their secret weapon. Sir Ben Ainslie, five-times Olympic medalist, the best British sailor since Admiral Lord Nelson, was drafted onto Team USA to replace their "tactician". There's now only one actual American on the US boat, but as it's all paid for by Oracle CEO billionaire Larry Ellison then I guess he can do what he wants.
Unfortunately not even the addition of a Brit could turn the USA good, and they had another chastising day out on the water. We watched the action from America's Cup Park on Embarcadero, although it might have been downtown Auckland given the number of cheering Kiwis in attendance. I spotted a couple of American flags but none were being waved. I flew the Union Jack, hedging my bets that I could be supporting either Ben or NZ ("get your stars off our flag," as we sing at the cricket). 6-0 to Team New Zealand currently, so I backed the winner.
A distinguished career in Her Majesty's navy.
Following the crowds into the Park on Pier 29.
Crossing the generation gap.
If you're waving this flag you're always a winner.
Team USA might want to take note of where to find this.
A quick lecture in naval architecture to a future Cup winner.
The original regatta 160+ years ago, when the USA won the cup...and, shamefully, Britain has never won it back.
I see no ships!
Ah, here they are. The super-fast catamarans tussle it out on the Bay.
It might be easier for Team USA to escape from here than win.
As they disappeared towards the Golden Gate Bridge all eyes turned to the big screens.
Nanny.
For the winner: an armada.
For the loser: ignominiously ignored.
And back home we celebrated in the appropriate manner.
