Harrison and Walker give their thoughts

"There’s only one winner – it’s not us this time but we’ll be back," says Peter Harrison

It would have been very tough to go beyond that but you don’t know until you’re there. It’s tricky racing out there and if you can get your nose ahead and pick some good shifts then you can upset some of the bigger teams. So I think there’s hope for all teams; and while you’re still in the event you have hope. I guess today our light went out, our hope’s gone and we don’t have the chance to go as far as I believe some of our hopes and ambitions were. You’re pretty emotional after a day like today. I don’t cry very often but today I had a tear in my eye on the way out, when everybody was cheering, and on the way in, particularly when we got back to the base.

"There were so many friends and family and flags and you realise just how much this means to a whole bunch of people. The Americas Cup is clearly a fantastic event, it means an awful lot to an awful lot of people, a huge amount of hard work has gone in from everyone involved in GBR Challenge. It’s a huge amount of sacrifice by all their partners and family, and a huge amount of fun along the way as well, a huge amount of learning. I think when we look back on this, we’ll look back on it with pride. We’ll think about what we can take forward from this event, to the next one. And that’s just the support that’s here. I’m sure there’ll be people who’ve been following the races on the internet back home and I’m sure they’ll be feeling just as sad that our event ended today."

Peter Harrison paid tribute to Ian Walker and the GBR Challenge team. "Ian’s led the team brilliantly. We only started sailing when we bought our two Japan’s Nippon Challenge boats in May 2001 - so we’ve only had 18 months. I’ve been absolutely convinced of the work rate and application of Ian and all the team. I’ve never felt anybody was applying themselves less than 105%. I’m absolutely confident in all the people I’ve got. Obviously when a campaign comes to an end you have to have a review process and see how to go from there. I’ve put in a continuity element already."

At the post race press conference Stars & Stripes helm Ken Read was asked what advice he would give GBR Challenge based on their performance on the water...

"Next question..." replied Read.