Auckland Council plans team bases for 2021 America's Cup

  • 13/11/2017

Talks are underway to prepare Auckland to host the America's Cup in 2021, after it was revealed in September that plenty of work was needed to get the city regatta-ready.

Two months ago, Team NZ chief executive Grant Dalton admitted there was no infrastructure for New Zealand's biggest city to host the regatta and announced Italy had been named back-up hosts, in case Auckland couldn't be ready in time.

Tauranga also submitted a bid if Auckland fell through, but on Monday, Auckland Council announced some details of the facilities needed to stage an event of this magnitude.

It has now released a series of diagrams, showing the proposed sites for eight team bases on Auckland's waterfront, with proposals ranging from Westhaven in the west to Captain Cook Wharf in the east.

Diagrams of the proposed sites for the eight competing teams.
Diagrams of the proposed sites for the eight competing teams. Photo credit: Auckland Council

Dalton earlier estimated 30,000 square metres of space would be needed to host bases for the defenders and challengers, either on existing Auckland waterfront land or at a newly-created area.

He wants facilities completed before the first boats arrive midway through 2019 for pre-regatta races, with team bases built close together in an area open to the public to create atmosphere.

An August 31 deadline next year has been set to confirm a venue and race course.

If Auckland gets the green light, racing will take place on the Hauraki Gulf, as was the case when Auckland hosted in 2000 and 2003. Dalton wants the event closer to land than at those events, but says Waitemata Harbour was too tight to stage races.

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