America's Cup defender Alinghi's two yachts sail during a training session before the 32nd America's Cup match race against challenger Emirates Team New Zealand in Valencia. - Reuters

MADRID (Reuters):

DESPITE EVERYBODY'S best efforts to let history be history, strains of an ugly campaign against New Zealanders who switched over to Alinghi for the 2003 America's Cup have started wafting around again.

Alinghi owner Ernesto Bertarelli told the International Herald Tribune last week that some of the Kiwis on his team were still subject to insults from New Zealand fans in Valencia.

"Some of the behaviours we had in Auckland last time are coming back," he was quoted as saying.

"I mean its seven years now ... let it be. Let it go."

Swiss upstart Alinghi poached six core Kiwi crew, including skipper Russell Coutts, soon after Team New Zealand successfully defended the America's Cup in 2000.

Three years later, when Coutts and Co. beat New Zealand off Auckland to win the America's Cup 5-0, the mood was blue.

Some media accused the Alinghi core of being traitors and putting pay cheques before patriotism.

A short-lived group of New Zealand supporters called 'BlackHeart' vociferously criticised Kiwis working for other teams.

In the nastiest case, some Alinghi team members were sent letters threatening their children and property.

In the past

Most people say the furore is in the past, particularly because the America's Cup is an increasingly international sport with most teams now boasting a multinational crews.

"I don't think Kiwis should jeer or boo at anyone," BlackHeart founder David Walden told the New Zealand Herald.

"BlackHeart is dead and buried as it was after that (2003) campaign."

New Zealanders wearing black T-shirts reading 'ValeNZia' and 'Let's bring it home' have flooded Valencia to support their team in the America's Cup rematch against Alinghi, which starts on Saturday.

While some fans mutter darkly about Alinghi over a beer, there is barely any out-and-out animosity.

One New Zealand fan, who has friends on both teams and did not want to be named, said the BlackHeart era was part of Kiwi sporting lore which "although not very nice, still has its backers".

"The best thing is for New Zealand to win the Cup back fair and square and the whole thing really will be history," he said.