The Auld Mug is on its way to the Far North

The America's Cup, and some of those who helped Team NZ win it in Bermuda are coming to the Far North.

It will be the Far North's turn to see the America's Cup next week, when the world's oldest sports trophy begins a two-week, 23-centre tour of the country at Taipa.

The cup, four of the crew who helped win it for Team NZ and representatives of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron will be at the Taipa Sailing Club on Friday (October 6) from 5.45pm to 7pm, and at the Kerikeri Domain next day, noon to 2pm.

The Team NZ representatives had not been named yesterday, although sailing club spokesman Roger Hall suspected that Andy Maloney, who began sailing with the Kerikeri Cruising Club and the Kerikeri High School sailing programme before moving to Auckland, would be among them.

The Taipa visit will begin with a formal powhiri and private viewing for club members and sponsors at the Ramada Resort Reia Taipa Beach.

A parade will make the very short journey to the sailing club rooms at 5.45pm.
Mr Hall said local schools had been invited, and the Doubtless Bay Sea Scouts would be part of the parade.

"We really want to interact with everyone on what will be a very special day," he said.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We will never see this trophy at Taipa again."

The RNZYS had a security plan, while the cup would have a minder, and local police would be there.

The sailing club had taken on a new lease on life over recent times in terms of both participation and community support, and Mr Hall had no doubt that next week's visit would provide a further significant boost.

Royal NZ Yacht Squadron general manager Hayden Porter said when the tour was announced that it was a way of giving back to smaller clubs, where many top sailors got their start in the sport.