There was no shortage of flags for both the United States and New Zealand yesterday, fluttering all over the West End for the close of the America’s Cup.

Flags and flag bunting started before Somerset Bridge and lined the roads leading to the America’s Cup Village, where the crowds were clothed in patriotic colours.

But some in the Kiwi press have cried foul at the allegation that New Zealand flags had been “removed from streets in Bermuda in the dead of the night”.

New Zealand supporters were understandably nervous at yesterday’s moment of truth — in which their home team surged to victory in the final race.

That excitement was shared back home, according to Grant Dalton, the New Zealand CEO, who said there had been 4am traffic jams on the motorways with “people trying to get to work to watch the racing”.

However, according to New Zealand’s Stuff website, Kiwi flags in Bermuda were spotted being taken down by supporters of Oracle Team USA on Saturday night.

At a glance on The Royal Gazette’s way to Dockyard, the Stars and Stripes may have held the advantage of numbers, and “USA” had been chalked at intervals onto the road — but the New Zealand flag enjoyed a respectable presence, alongside the occasional poster for the island’s July 18 General Election.

In the end there was just one flag ecstatically waved, and high, as the thrilled Kiwi supporters took to their feet to celebrate their team’s triumph.