Team NZ need just one more win to retain the America's Cup after stretching their lead to 6-3 on Tuesday. World champion sailor Phil Robertson joins Mark Orams and Alex Chapman to dissect the news from Race Day 6, as the Kiwis look set to secure the Auld Mug on Wednesday. Video / NZ Herald / Getty Images / Photosport
"Watch the race and cheer loudly."
That's the plan for the afternoon at Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club.
The club is expecting more than 100 people through its doors this afternoon and evening to watch what could be the final day of the 2021 America's Cup.
Club manager LynneWhitaker said the club had been screening the races daily and there had been crowds of various sizes each day.
Tauranga Boys' College principal Robert Mangan with Peter Burling in 2018. Photo / File
Emirates Team New Zealand helmsman Peter Burling is still associated with the club and Whitaker said that made the event all the more special.
"I think there's a lot of ownership. People feel very invested in it because of that relationship ... His father and mother are still involved and help out.
"We're quietly confident but nervous as well."
The club will be open from 3.30pm and Whitaker said they were expecting more than the 100 people who attended yesterday.
Burling previously told NZME he was philosophical the match would go on for at least another day.
"This team's been in this position before. We just want to keep improving, keep moving forward and we're really excited about another race," Burling said. "We know that one was a pretty close one, so we're going to have to sail just as well in the next one."
Burling is a former old boy of Tauranga Boys' College, and was sports captain at the college when Robert Mangan took over as principal in 2008.
Mangan said while the school hadn't been marking the racing in any way, they had brought Burling's achievements to the attention of the students and would celebrate the win if New Zealand took it out.
"We're very proud to have Peter Burling as an old boy and helmsman of Team New Zealand."
Peter Burling. Photo / Getty
In Mangan's first year at the school, Kane Williamson was also head boy and Mangan said the school also celebrated his successes.
"We didn't see a lot of them that year. Kane was captaining our under-19 team and Peter was representing New Zealand in sailing in Seoul.
"I've got a special connection with Peter. He's been back a number of times ... He's a keen supporter of the school."
Racing is scheduled to get under way at 4.15pm today.
Today's conditions are expected to be ideal for racing, with American Magic skipper Dean Barker saying there could be "some epic sailing" today.
