The oldest trophy in international sport will be in the Bay tomorrow as the crew of Emirates Team New Zealand tours the regions.
After the 9-8 heartbreak of San Francisco in 2013 the team managed to overcome Oracle in Bermuda to bring the America's Cup home earlier this year and are ready to show it off.
The cup, under the stewardship of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, will be on display at the Napier Soundshell from 1pm tomorrow before heading to the Napier Sailing Club.
Read more: America's Cup bound for Hawke's Bay this week on its NZ road trip
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Advertise with NZME.Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton said the national tour had been something very important to himself and the team since winning back the cup.
"We really felt the support from everyone all over New Zealand when we were in Bermuda and want to repay that support by getting it to as many people as possible."
He said they wanted to get as many young kids interested in sailing as they could and they wanted to encourage the next generation of Peter Burling, Blair Tuke, Andy Maloney and Josh Junior to take the sport up and continue the strong legacy of sailing in New Zealand.
"What we are seeing now with today's stars like Peter, Blair, Andy and Josh is that they are the generation of kids that were inspired by winning the cup in 1995 and 2000 and have emerged as the best in the world that have won the cup again."
Napier Sailing Club is getting in among the action, holding its open day from 2pm-4pm, to show people what they can aspire to.
Club commodore Paul Redman said this was a big thing for Napier and the club, and to host the cup for was a huge privilege.
"Winning the cup is the epitome of the sport and with the next event to be held in New Zealand these kids could aspire to be and perform at that level by the next America's Cup."
There will be yachts sailing around so people can try out the sport and some of the team will also be there to answer questions and have photos.
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Advertise with NZME.A cocktail evening will close the day, however this was for invited sponsors and volunteers of the club.
The special ceremony at the Soundshell will include a mayoral welcome, on-stage questions and answers, entertainment and an opportunity for photos.
With the event taking place in the second week of the school holidays, Napier mayor Bill Dalton said he was expecting an excellent turnout.
"We're crossing fingers for excellent spring weather. It's fantastic that our community can spend time with our inspirational Kiwi yachtsmen and gain some insight into what it took for the team in Bermuda to dig deep when the pressure came on, and come out on top."
