Opening the case to remove the ‘Auld Mug’ was no mean feat.

I had an amazing, unplanned experience yesterday as Emirates Team New Zealand bought home the America’s Cup. While you may have seen their arrival back into the country at Auckland Airport, here is some coverage on the plane trip home. I was so proud to be a Kiwi.

Arriving at Dubai Airport I immediately caught sight of the Emirates Team New Zealand boys checking-in with their shirts easily recognisable. While some had their team shirts on others didn’t, but it was no surprise who was the most chilled. Peter Burling in a T-shirt, shorts and jandals looked as though he was about to walk to the dairy for an ice-cream, rather than bringing home the coveted America’s Cup after 14 long years.

Two beautiful Louis Vuitton cases, one with the ‘Challenger’s Trophy’ and the other with the ‘Auld Mug’ were ‘seat belted’ in a first class suite on the Emirates flight home.

Once on the plane the two large Louis Vuitton cases (one with the Louis Vuitton Challenger’s Trophy and the other with the Auld Mug) were strapped into a first class suite with the care you would give to a young child, with pillow pushed between them to ensure they were secure.

Here’s a short video as they move the Louis Vuitton case to get the Auld Mug out. IMG_9021 2

Once in the air the boys were keen to ‘share’. They weren’t thinking about themselves and their stardom. They just wanted to share the Auld Mug with every Kiwi on the flight and give them the opportunity to see it close up.

Blair Tuke took the mug around the plane like an ambassador to share with all the Kiwis on board.

While the Louis Vuitton case blocked the galley, the Emirates staff were not perturbed and worked around it using it as a table top!

With space tight in the galley, the Louis case proved a good table top!

Meanwhile, Peter Burling was nowhere to see seen. Passing his seat on several occasions he slept like a baby for most of the trip, without a care in the world. However, his wingman Blair Tuke was on fire and what a wonderful young man he is.

Blair Tuke is a delightful young man.

I hope New Zealanders come out by the thousands over the next few days to commend the very humble Emirates Team New Zealand for their incredible hard work, determination and passion that has provided us all with so much joy.