Thousands turn out in Dunedin for Cup heroes

Thousands turned out in the Dunedin Octagon to welcome Team New Zealand and the America's Cup. Photo: Gerard O'Brien
Thousands turned out in the Dunedin Octagon to welcome Team New Zealand and the America's Cup. Photo: Gerard O'Brien
Team New Zealand helmsman Peter Burling with a young wellwisher. Photo by Peter McIntosh
Team New Zealand helmsman Peter Burling with a young wellwisher. Photo by Peter McIntosh
Getting up close to the Cup. Photo by Peter McIntosh
Getting up close to the Cup. Photo by Peter McIntosh
Photo by Peter McIntosh
Photo by Peter McIntosh
The cars getting ready to escort the team. Photo: Peter McIntosh
The cars getting ready to escort the team. Photo: Peter McIntosh
Crowds are flocking around the Dental School before the parade. Photo: Peter McIntosh.
Crowds are flocking around the Dental School before the parade. Photo: Peter McIntosh.
Photo: Stephen Jaquiery
Photo: Stephen Jaquiery
Photo: Stephen Jaquiery
Photo: Stephen Jaquiery
Photo: Stephen Jaquiery
Photo: Stephen Jaquiery
Photo: Peter McIntosh
Photo: Peter McIntosh

Thousands lined the streets as the victorious America's Cup team made its way through a slightly drizzly central Dunedin today.

Crowds cheered as the team took the stage in the Octagon and Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull welcomed Emirates Team New Zealand to the South.

The parade featured 28 members of the sailing team which won the famous trophy, beating Oracle Team USA on June 26.

Emirates Team NZ manager Grant Dalton thanked Dunedin for the turnout.

"You are amazing . . . I don't think I've heard as much noise as I have here. At the heart of it we're just so incredibly proud to be New Zealanders. Thank you!"

The crowds yelled "well done!" while children called out "TEAM NEW ZEALAND!" and screamed as the Cup went along George St towards the Octagon.

In the Octagon a helicopter overhead dumped confetti over the team and crowd.

Team NZ cyclor Joe Sullivan said it was fantastic and it was a "great opportunity" to travel around the nation with the Cup.

"Auckland was great but everywhere we've gone it's got better and better.

"To be able to share it with New Zealand it's something to get in behind. Wellington put it on for us. Christchurch was a bit rainy and snowy but really good to see people out," he said.

Twelve Toyota Hiluxs,  a bus and a police car made up the convoy escorting the team on Thursday.

Starting outside the Dental School in Great King St, the parade headed down Frederick and George Sts to the Octagon, where there was be a civic welcome.

The event ended with a short music video with highlights of the team's Cup winning races in Bermuda to the song Humming Along. 

Afterwards, the team and the Auld Mug escaped the weather and headed inside the Savoy.

Before the parade throngs swarmed the team, lining up to get their photo with the America's Cup and keen to meet the stars.

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