The Kiwi Cup : Yachting

Auckland will early in the new year play host to an America's Cup style regatta to be held off the shores of Aucklands North Shore where the America's Cup races were held in 2000 & 2003 but will be much closer to the shore for land spectators to gail in the marvell of yachting and hopefully bring much thrill back into the sport.

After Alinghi took the win last year retaining the cup, their has been much debacle surrounding the cup and I'll admit I've somewhat lost interest in all the legal issues between BMW Oracle/Team New Zealand v's Alighi. Alighi were the most unsportsman like people on the face of the earth following their 1 second win over Dean Barker and team who were pushed to the side during the presenting of the cup. They have made the whole issue worse by delaying the next cup and still not sorting out the circumstances about the race boats. During this time the other syndicates are loosing money and TNZ have had to let several key people go. However with the Kiwi Cup going on offer it will hopefully bring life back to the sport which it so needs, especially to get the backing and support of kiwi's everywhere.

Invitations have gone out to all syndicates including Alighi for the first race to begin late January. It will not be a long drawn out regatta but a friendly competitive race much like in Golfing pro-am's. Teams will once again face off bringing excitement back in the air and will also be great for Auckland tourism as well on a small scale but if succesful it may hopefully become an annual event so would bring long term benefits.

Louis Vuitton whom have pulled out from their affiliation with the America's Cup mostly because its becoming too commercialised have associated their name with the Kiwi Cup where the winner will receive a specially crafted Louis Vuitton Trophy.