The final doesn't start for two
weeks yet - but planning is already under way for
Auckland to host the next series.
Auckland City Mayor Dick Hubbard said last night
the Auckland City Council was "right behind Team
New Zealand in their quest to bring the Auld Mug
home".
"All that stands in their way now is a rematch with
Alinghi, and we're confident the boys can secure
a victory," Mr Hubbard said. "We are ready
to host the next America's Cup in Auckland".
While the nation crosses its fingers for the cup
series, provision is already being made for a defence
of the cup in 2010.
Judith Bassett, chairwoman of Auckland Regional
Holdings, said the existing America's Cup bases
from 2003 would be made available again. That includes
the old Team New Zealand base, the former Alinghi
base on the Halsey St and three bases on the Halsey
St wharf.
"The team can sail in the confidence that if they
win the cup, they will have space made available
for a team base in the Viaduct Harbour," Mrs Bassett
said.
Four former bases have been demolished to make way
for apartments since the 2003 America's Cup defeat
to Alinghi. Mrs Bassett said there was other space
available "and other space would be found".
The Minister responsible for the America's Cup,
Trevor Mallard, said not a lot of thought has been
put into planning if Team New Zealand wins the America's
Cup.
Mr Mallard believes the planning could have been
done more wisely and says city officials will have
to move quickly if the regatta comes back to Auckland
to establish where the team bases will go.
Dick Hubbard said today though city officials will
not act prematurely, they are keeping their options
open, and delaying making a few decisions over plans for the redevelopment
of Wynyard Wharf near the Viaduct Basin.
Mr Hubbard says officials also had talks with Team
New Zealand and have a number of ideas about how
a new base would be put together, along with sponsor
requirements.
"Our fingers are crossed that Team New Zealand will
bring home the cup to defend in Auckland's waters."
