They may still call themselves Team New Zealand, but many are debating if they're still New Zealand's team.
Barcelona has stolen a lot of hearts over the years, but now it's stolen our America's Cup regatta and left some Kiwi sailing fans furious.
"I don't like it, I think it's a New Zealand team and New Zealanders have supported it all the way through," said one.
"Immensely disappointed," said another. "Great opportunity for New Zealand to hold it again, but a lack of foresight from the city council and Government."
"I think it's a shame that it's not coming back to Auckland," said another.
"Obviously, I would love to see it down here again," said yet another.
Team NZ boss Grant Dalton is adamant the decision is vital to retaining the 'Auld Mug'.
"About the disappointment, I understand that," he said. "Of course I understand that, but I come back to the simple point - would it be better to lose in New Zealand?
"It wouldn't be a little loss, it would be a massive loss."
Team NZ's decision means the City of Sails is now the 'City That Failed', despite the Government and Auckland Council putting together a $99 million bid to host the next Cup.
"New Zealand treats it like a national event," said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. "I don't think any other country treats the America's Cup like we do.
"We all celebrate it, but at the same time, we have to consider all the other costs that we have. We put enough on the table for it to be hosted here."
But only $31 million of the Government's offer was in cash and Team NZ made it clear all along they needed $120 million to fund the next event, including a hosting fee.
"If people are disappointed that our primary focus is winning, then it sort of doesn't compute with me," said Dalton. "Losing onshore or winning in another country, with the potential to bring the Cup back is a far better proposition."
The Government and council spent more than $200 million on infrastructure and hosting the Cup last year. COVID-19 and our closed borders meant the expected financial windfall of holding it on the Hauraki Gulf did not eventuate.
"Keep in mind, those assets that have been created on the Auckland waterfront are still there," said Sport Minister Grant Robertson.
But some people feel betrayed that THEIR team are taking it offshore, some even saying they should drop 'New Zealand' from their name.
"I think it is a betrayal of sorts," said one, "Certainly not what I would expect of New Zealanders."
The very idea of being disloyal or unpatriotic has Dalton seething.
"We have 120 people, we have a boatyard," he said. "We start sailing in New Zealand in a few months in the new AC40s.
"We'll build our new boat, we'll do all our sailing in New Zealand - we're from New Zealand."
That might be the case, but will the New Zealand support that's been lavished on them - and they've been happy to lap up - still be there at Barcelona.
