Australasia > New Zealand > North Island > Auckland > Articles > The Best America's Cup Ever

It gets better with practice. More syndicates, more mega-wealthy owners, more visitors and more journalists are scheduled to appear at this America's Cup.

The corporate sponsors are still there but what's changed is what the organisers are calling "the B factor" i.e. the number of billionaires involved. The wealthiest man in Switzerland (Ernesto Bertarelli of Alinghi), the billionaire owner of Prada (Patrizio Bertelli) and the internet entrepeneur, GBR Challenge's Peter Harrison, all outdone by Oracle's Larry Ellison, the third richest man in the world (at last count anyway), will be here all wanting a piece of the action.

What does that mean? Well, according to Ross Blackman, the chief Executive of Team NZ and AC2003, it means a helluva lot more interesting characters washing up on our shores.

What else is new? More teams here earlier than ever. A British syndicate for the first time in 15 years, fewer American but more European entries.

And, most importantly, us - the only country in the history of the America's Cup to have successfully defended the Cup outside of the United States. The oldest sporting trophy in the world was originally known as the 100 Guinea Cup and only became the America's Cup in 1851 after an American beat the English. Since then it's only been taken away from the United States twice - first by Australia in 1983 and the second time by New Zealand in 1995. So you can't miss it, you've gotta be a part of it, but how do you get the best out of the experience?

When

Opening Ceremony - 28 September
Races: 1 October 2002 - 1 March 2003
Nine challengers representing six countries compete in a four-month elimination series for the Louis Vuitton Cup and the right to race Team New Zealand for the America's Cup.

The Louis Vuitton Cup

1 October 2002 - 21 January 2003
LV CUP Round Robin 1: 1-11 October
LV Cup Round Robin 2: 22 October - 1 November
LV Cup Quarter Finals: 12-19 November, 23-30 November
LV Cup Semi Finals: 9-16 December, 20-28 December
LV Cup Finals: 11-21 January
www.lvcup.com

The America's Cup

15 February - 1 March 2003
Race 1 - 15 February
Race 2 - 16 February
Race 3 - 18 February
Race 4 - 20 February
Race 5 - 22 February
Race 6 - 23 February
Race 7 - 25 February
Race 8 - 27 February
Race 9 - 1 March
www.americascup.com

How To Get There

For travel packages contact your travel agent or best of all, for free and impartial advice, the Visitor Information Centre at the American Express Viaduct Harbour, cnr Quay and Hobson Sts, ph 09 9792333, email: mailto:reservations@aucklandnz.com, www.aucklandnz.com. They can also book your accommodation, activities, transport and spectator boats.

Where to Stay

The Auckland Visitor Information Centre has centrally located hotels from $200 to $700 share twin per night. There are no motels or B&B's downtown but if you are willing to travel they have B&B's in Devonport, Mission Bay and surrounding suburbs from $150 share twin per night and motels in outlying suburbs cost from $90 share twin per night.

Parking

Downtown carpark or Viaduct carpark, cnr Fanshawe St and Customs St. Heart of the City, the retail group, may put on a free bus (SUBS: RING liz smith, mkting mger, Main St Retail Organisation, JUST BEFORE DEADLINE TO CHECK).

Best Place to See the Cup

The course moves depending on the wind's direction and is announced on morning radio. Most yachts go out at 10ish and start racing around midday.

On Land

The Viaduct Harbour will feature a big screen showing the races at the end of the island. The carpark at the Viaduct will have exhibition tents with interactive displays relating to the America's Cup. The Viaduct will also feature free entertainment in the weekends in the early stages of the race and more regularly from November on Ticketted performances for major acts are also planned.

Yachts will be visible along any beach along the North Shore but it will be difficult to pick out detail. Also try North Head and Mt Victoria or top of Rangitoto.

On The Water

Visibility isn't the point since it's often lousy and if you get seasick all those boats bobbing about in the harbour can make you pretty miserable.

But being there for the buzz is what it's all about. Good friends, good food, wine, a whopping great television and a knowledgeable commentator on board helps too. Options range from single seats on large passenger ferries (from $65 per person per day for the LV Cup to $185 pp per day for the Cup) to fully catered small luxury yacht packages (from $450 per person per day). Many have Virtual Spectator race graphics and expert commentators on board.

The large passenger ferries may lack exclusivity but are usually given a good position on the course due to their size. Mid-range options range from $125 to $300 per person during the LV Cup, and $250 to $500 per person during the America's Cup. These prices put you on board a yacht or launch with 12 to 60 other passengers.

If you have your own boat it might be worth hiring someone to provide a commentary. Ask skippers for a recommendation. Or you may like to get a group of about 20-40 people together and charter a boat. A launch is likely to set you back $2000 -$10,000 per day depending on the race. A classic yacht or ketch costs about the same, holding 12 to 40 people. For a true America's Cup experience try the NZL40, the only ex-America's Cup yacht for hire. Available on a charter basis only at $6000 for 30 people.

To avoid disappointment for all sailings, book ahead. Contact the Auckland Visitor Information Centre for bookings.

Best Place to Eat on The Waterfront

Depends on what you fancy. Select from Italian, French, Indian, grill, Irish pubs, champagne bars and brasseries at the Viaduct, sports bars, vodka bars and a Brazilian restaurant on Princes Wharf.
The Cuisine Market behind the Viaduct sells fresh and takeaway food.
Cheap family nosh will be on sale at stalls in the Viaduct carpark.

Best Buys

Clothing - available from every syndicate.
For the rich - a remote-controlled exact copy of an America's cup yacht 1/15th the size of a normal vessel. Called the AC15 yachts they sell for about $12,000. Check with each syndicate if they have one or contact www.ac15.com directly.

Other Events On in Auckland At The Same Time

The Auckland Festival - the new arts festival starts 25 January on Anniversary weekend for three weeks. It will be centrally located and More Pacific in content and style than the Wellington arts festival.
www.aucklandfestival.co.nz, margi@aucklandfestival.co.nz, 09 309 0117

The Ellerslie flower show - 20-24 November, ph 09 309 7875, mail@ellerslieflowershow.co.nz

Heineken Tennis Open - 6-11 January09 373 3623, john@aucklandtennis.co.nz, www.heinekenopen.co.nz

ASB Bank Classic women's tennis tournament, 30 December 2002-4 January 2-3, ph 09 373 3623, john@aucklandtennis.co.nz, www.asbclassic.co.nz

As well there will be Fashion Week 21-25 October, two wine and food festivals in the first weekend in February, a super yacht regatta 10-13 February 2003 and a three-day equestrian event beginning December. A full calendar of events is available from August from the Auckland Visitor Information Centre at the Viaduct.

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