The crowd in Auckland just before first race. Photo / Bernard Orsman
The crowd in Auckland just before first race. Photo / Bernard Orsman
Auckland has turned on a pearler of a day for the first day of sailing in the Prada Cup to determine the challenger for the Auld Mug.
A steady stream of families, city workers and lunchtime diners have filled waterfront bars, while restaurants prepared for the first of two racesat 3.15pm.
The waterfront is basking in 26C of sunshine and blue skies. There is a 18km/h southwesterly wind, which a member of the Italian syndicate described as good and fair for racing.
One of the talking points is the form of British team Ineos, and whether they can turn around their poor performances in the pre-Christmas regatta between the three challengers and America's Cup holder Emirates Team New Zealand.
Milford yachtie Phil Evans said he would like to see the English come back "because they have been looking a bit dismal".
Evans and his wife Donna recently saw the Brits training at the back of Waiheke and said they were flying and looking more polished.
Several hundred spectators gathered in Auckland for the races.
"At the moment it is weighted toward America Magic but I'm hoping England can come back."
The Evans said they would normally be out on the water but decided to come down to Thrace village to look at the boats, size them up and watch the racing on tying screen.
Village team volunteers are asking people to scan on the Covid tracer app as they enter the race village.
Despite the requests, many people are ignoring the advice.
The weather is perfect for the first day of sailing in the Prada Cup to determine the challenger for the Auld Mug. Photo / Bernard Orsman
Penny Torrance and her grandson, Kyler Rosendaal, 14, are not sure if the English will do well.
"You couldn't get a better day for it," said Torrance, who is a big fan of Luna Ross's skipper Jimmy Spitall for congratulating Team New Zealand after losing to them at the last cup, and bringing them beer.
Torrance said it was a shame Covid meant there were few international visitors, while Rosendaal was keen to take some photos.
A huge applause went up at the America's Cup Village for Ben Anslie and Team Ineos when they crossed the finish line in the first race of the Prada Cup.
In fact, the hundreds is spectators were cheering the British after they rounded the first leg in the lead and continued to stretch their lead hugging the right hand side of the course.
The Prada Cup kicked off today. Photos / Brett Phibbs
Milford yachtsman John Rutherford was blown away by the turnaround of Ineos, which had a dismal time in the Pre-Christmas World Series.
"I'm just thrilled these guys have managed to be incredibly creative and not afraid to change everything.
"It shows a lot of courage and faith in their design team and probably a bit of desperation but top marks for an outstanding effort...it's quite nice beating the Americans," he said.
Rutherford said the win has added some competition to the cup, adding "seriously, who knows what the heck is going to happen".
Tarii Uriaro, in Auckland with her Cook Island family from Dunedin, was also pleased for the British team.
"They haven't done too well but managed to pull off the first points on the board. Awesome work," she said.
Mission Bay resident Jean Kennedy found the race very exciting.
"I had a feeling the British were going to pull something out of the bag. They were the better team and got the better side of the racecourse," she said.
