Rob Hielkema was still in school when New Zealand won the America's Cup in 1995, but he remembers the effect the win had. AdvertisementThey could expect to see a surge in people joining yacht clubs around the country this year, whether or not New Zealand took the win. He said sailing was a "tick the box sort of sport" and people were keen to give it a try, and would often be prompted to sign up when America's Cup rolled around. This America's Cup has really changed sailing, the way they're racing is quite different to the way it's traditionally done." He expected a bigger surge of new sailors if New Zealand won the cup.

Source: New Zealand Herald June 12, 2017 05:46 UTC