WELL THE AMERICA'S CUP IS OVER FOR ANOTHER FEW YEARS.

Alinghi has beaten Emirates Team New Zealand by 5-2. NZ had a good boat compared to four years ago - the last one literally fell to pieces.

It was a mixture of a slight speed advantage, greater experience and superior sailing skills from the Alinghi syndicate; some bad luck, a few vital errors at the wrong times and some gear failure from Team NZ. Dean Barker continues to grow as a skipper and will improve even more by the next challenge, whenever it might be.

The New Zealand public continues to support Team New Zealand as a national icon, albeit a few levels below the All Blacks. The current New Zealand Government is prepared to financially support them once again, with an advance of $10 milion to get the next challenge under way. The team managemet can then retain those members it wishes to or needs.

There was a lot of emotional out-pouring at Valencia, not all of it was positive, but as they say - thats all history now!

Congratulations on a great team effort, not a success, but not something to be ashamed of either. Come on the All Blacks and the Silver Ferns!!