"While the sailors' performance is important, it's the boat they sail in ... that is most on display and that's the subtle difference to an event like the Rugby World Cup.
"All the sail technology, the hydraulics, and the incredible stresses that go on that fin as it climbs out of the water, are all really direct testament to New Zealanders and their innovative ways of using modern materials."
Labour Party sport and recreation spokesman Trevor Mallard, who will travel to San Francisco for the finals series next month, said the competition provided a unique opportunity for New Zealand businesses because "yachting nutters" were often decision-makers in large multinational companies.
Up to 120 company executives and prospective investors are being hosted each day at the New Zealand base just south of the iconic Bay Bridge, where the plastic waka made for the Rugby World Cup is moored. Directly under the red bridge the Waterbar is serving New Zealand lamb, Mud House pinot noir, Kikorangi blue cheese and Moa beer. New Zealand wine has been distributed to 50 of the city's restaurants.
Marlborough-based winemakers Mud House said aligning the firm with Team NZ had helped to speed up what was usually a slow and costly process in breaking into American markets.
"It's not the association with sailing," says global sales chief Jack Glover. "It's the association with what Emirates Team New Zealand means to New Zealand - I guess that attitude of taking something on, being adventurous and showing leadership. That fits with our brand."
Out on the water, all of the America's Cup challengers' carbon-fibre boats have New Zealand-made components and crew members. Even the San Francisco police boats are run by a New Zealand-made jet engine.
The America's Cup project director for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Briony Ellis, said: "We look like we're everywhere ... we're making a strong play in terms of the breadth of who we are as a country and what's important to us."
New Zealand innovation caught the eye of movie star Tom Cruise last week. His visit to the Team New Zealand base with son Connor is considered an immeasurable publicity boost for the team's bid and for New Zealand companies.
Mr Brownlee: "He is a movie producer, and was talking for a while about his Mission Impossible series that relies on technology. He has a fascination himself with those sorts of forward-looking ideas and was certainly a bit blown away by the ability of that boat."
The PR coup was arranged by diplomat Leon Grice, a key figure in NZ's hosting the Rugby World Cup.
Mr Grice told the Weekend Herald he had approached a number of senior film studio executives in southern California to invite them to enjoy the Team NZ set-up to market New Zealand as a film-making destination.
"[Warner Bros] asked us if it would be okay if Tom Cruise and his son could come ... It was huge fun and a lot of serendipity."
A little bit of NZ
Up to 120 company executives and prospective investors are hosted each day at the New Zealand base just south of the iconic San Francisco Bay Bridge, where the plastic waka made for the Rugby World Cup is moored.
Directly under the red bridge the Waterbar serves NZ lamb, Mud House pinot noir, Kikorangi blue cheese and Moa beer. New Zealand wine has been distributed to 50 of the city's restaurants.
