A moment in sports commentary history

Two-time Match Racing World Champion Phil Robertson can lack a filter, and while team leaders in the 36th America’s Cup don’t wander too far off a safe script, words have a way of escaping Robertson’s mouth near a microphone.

As a member of TVNZ’s commentary team, Newshub is reporting how his sexual innuendo-laden America’s Cup commentary has fans burning up the internet, setting social media ablaze after his description of Emirates Team New Zealand’s comeback victory in race seven on March 15.

Said Robertson, “They [Emirates Team New Zealand] came from behind, and now they are sitting on his face like no one has sat on a face before.”

Apparently, the reaction on social media was swift, with swathes of Kiwi sailing fans shocked by what they’d heard – one describing it as “a moment in sports commentary history”. Another added, “Are you allowed to say ‘sitting on his face like nobody has sat on a face before’ on Channel 1?”

Sometimes you need to go off script to get a sense of who is listening…

America’s Cup Match Scoreboard (wins-losses)
Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL): 5-3
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA): 3-5

After advancing as the winner of the PRADA Cup, Italian challenger faces the Kiwi defense in the best of 13 series. The 36th America’s Cup Match racing schedule has two races per day planned for March 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, and each day after that until the first team has won seven races.

More information:
• America’s Cup format, standings, and how to watch: click here.
• Complete America’s Cup coverage: click here
• Additional America’s Cup information: click here