Volvo Ocean Race

If you see a bunch of PUMA sailors rushing through the airport today, their eyes averted from the TV screens and news stands, have a heart and don’t mention the winner of Super Bowl XLVI.

PAUL TODD/Volvo Ocean Race PAUL TODD/Volvo Ocean Race

Flying home to the US will be a heart-wrenching event for PUMA’s Media Crew Member Amory Ross, because stepping foot on the plane meant the New York Giants fanatic missed the game in Indianapolis.

Having grown up in the Giants’ heartland just 30 minutes from their home stadium in New Jersey, Ross is accustomed to eating three-layer dip and drinking beer at a mate’s house when Super Bowl Sunday takes place.

But not this time. Ross boarded a flight from Sanya, China, just 15 minutes after last night's kick-off. To make matters worse he was alongside skipper Ken Read and helmsman/trimmer Rome Kirby, both fans of the Giants' opponents the New England Patriots.

Ross said he planned to watch a replay of the match together with Kirby at his family home, but first they had to run the airport terminal gauntlet without any spoilers.

“We have a plan to walk through the airport with our eyes covered and our ears plugged to make sure we can’t see a TV screen, news stand or hear any fans celebrating before we have a chance to watch the replay ‘as live’,’’ Ross said prior to leaving Sanya.

Ross, who still has a bag of confetti he collected from the streets of Manhattan following a parade celebrating the Giants’ last Super Bowl victory in 2008, said he had even considered changing his flights so he could watch the clash.

“I literally can’t bring myself to think about it,’’ he said. “This isn’t just the Super Bowl, this is the super Super Bowl. These teams are such fierce rivals and I feel like we’ve been waiting so long for this moment, and now, I’m going to miss it.”

Whoever’s team loses faces paying for an expensive dinner but for now a more pressing food matter has reared involving the making of the traditional three-layer dip.

“I think Rome should definitely repay the favour for all of the cooking I’ve been doing for him,’’ Ross said. But, Kirby wasn’t buying it. “Sure, I’ll boil some water and make you some freeze-dried food if you want,” he said.

Despite Kirby's smart words, the last laugh will go to Ross - the Giants edged the Patriots 21-17 at the Lucas Oil Stadium. Tony Mutter was among the PUMA crew who gathered to watch the action in Sanya.

PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG’s Australian sailors Tom Addis, Ryan Godfrey and Casey Smith have already departed Sanya for some R and R, while the remainder of the crew will return home today.