Ads by Google Ads by Google

Americans in Apia celebrate Cup win

There may have only been chilled water, coffee and orange juice instead of frothing, bubbling bottles of champagne, but staff from the United States Embassy in Apia were still a happy bunch yesterday morning.They had gathered at Amanaki Hotel to watch as Oracle Team USA pulled off one of the biggest comebacks in sporting history, winning the America’s Cup against Emirates Team New Zealand.Team USA was down eight races to one and almost out of the cup altogether when they fought back – and back, and back, and back.Eventually winning eight races in a row to take the cup nine races to eight.A keen sailor himself, Charge d’Affaires Peter Ganser gathered with staff members the hotel to support the Oracle team.While there was uncertainty on whether team US could pull off the race after being seven points behind last week, Mr. Ganser was hopeful the tide would be on their side.“I was hopeful when we were down 8 to 1 to the Kiwis,” he said yesterday.“It didn’t look good for the Americans but the team made a change in their boat speed that seemed to turn the day and won eight straight races.“We’re very happy for team USA and very appreciative of the sportsmanship from team Kiwi and looking forward to another rematch in four years from now.”Mr. Ganser described the race as the biggest comeback in the history of the America’s Cup by winning the trophy on San Francisco Bay yesterday.