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New Zealand- Americas Cup Harbor -March 10, 2000
Position: New Zealand- Americas Cup Harbor -March 10, 2000 The Americas Cup Races are over. The Kiwis won in five straight races. The final race series between Prada and the Kiwis drew the largest crowd. One weekend race had over 3,000 spectator boats. Fortunately our captain was experienced in working Seaquell into a good viewing area and we were large enough to stay in position in spite of the turbulent waters. It wasn't the best competitive racing as the Kiwis remained always out in front, but still entertaining and fun to be part of all the excitement generated by these races. After the final race all of Auckland turned out to cheer the home team with endless horns, colorful balloons, confetti, bands, singing, and spraying of champagne as they returned to the harbor to receive the America Cup trophy. It was a very festive and happy time. The total cup race event was well run by the Kiwis. A fishing harbor, located at the foot of the main street of Auckland was rebuilt with new docks for visiting yachts and hangers built for all the challenger boats. All were built to first class standards. This was the first time all of the challengers have been together in one location. Our mooring was at the harbor entrance and all the race boats passed our bow everyday as they went out to the race course and returning to the their docks. Seaquell was in such a prime location that CNN used our foredeck for filming many of their news scenes. We were on camera and quoted in one news scene that had world CNN coverage. Thank you Joyce Harvey of CNN. Seaquell's world cruise plans attracted the attention of local media with stories of our family participation and world adventures. We were the only megayacht with live aboard owners in New Zealand for the entire race season. With family, including 4 young grandkids from the US for three weeks over the Christmas holidays, we met, enjoyed, and became friends of many Kiwis. The race event included a two-day race for all the megayachts. There were 22 sailing yachts over 100' in the event. The race was set on a 40-mile course that took us to the Governor's Island. They served over 900 participants a lovely sit down gourmet dinner in sparkling white tents complete with music, ice sculptures and their famous green mussels, delicious leg of lamb all catered via boat to the Island. Marvelous! The next day was a scheduled start for the return race to the Auckland harbor, timed so we would all arrived at the finish line together. A wonderful sight having 22 yachts all arriving in the center of the harbor with full sails and a good wind for an exciting finish. It was Seaquell's first race adding excitement to our adventure. The event sponsors provided local crew and guests who turned out to be experienced sailors and became new friends from Auckland. Our son Todd, sailed with us from Jan. 15 through March 5, along with his friends from Italy and Germany, joining us for part of the time. Todd had spent two years building the first cable TV in New Zealand in the Wellington area. He brought many of his New Zealand friends to sail with us and renewed his friendships. Kevin Erdman, President of Todd Communications, of Minneapolis spent several days with us to enjoy the races Overall we had a delightful time at the races in New Zealand, have
made many new friends, and enjoyed the country and people. The event
was very successful, well planned having spent more than 100 million
to develop the harbor and waterfront into a first class facility that
will be used again in 2 years for the next race. John and June. |
