Flying the Flag and Stealing Hearts

Emirates Team New Zealand just keeps showing up and beating Oracle, regardless of the time or day, Al Saracevic writes for the San Francisco Chronicle. It’s a loose bunch of guys who are here to win, while having some fun along the way.

That attitude makes it hard to root against the Kiwis. So, apparently, nobody does.

A walk along the Embarcadero earlier in the week revealed a sea of “Fly Emirates” jerseys and Auckland accents.

Dave McKenzie and Richard Dreverman, two sailing fans from Wellington, were attaching large New Zealand flags to their rented bikes, praising San Francisco and flashing the trademark Kiwi wit.

“I’ve been here a month and I’m not sick of it,” McKenzie said. “Of course, I had to quit my job to do this.”

Dreverman didn’t miss his chance: “Truth is, no one will employ him.”

Cheers, mate, and off they went. Just two among thousands of New Zealanders who have descended on San Francisco to steal our hearts and take Larry Ellison’s Cup.

New Zealand needs one more win to take the Cup back to Auckland.