A "priceless" magnum of wine autographed by Sir Peter Blake will be auctioned in Auckland tonight for a cause close to the legendary sailor's heart - the defence of the America's Cup.
The Marine Export Group is holding a charity auction at a black-tie Spinnaker Ball at the Hilton Hotelto raise $70,000 for a replacement spinnaker for Team New Zealand.
The Australasian managing director of Sotheby's, Martin Gallon, will put 37 lots under the hammer, including the big bottle of Church Road reserve merlot.
Other lots include a party for 20, valued at $20,000, aboard the 34m superyacht Ubiquitous; dinner for 12 with the Governor-General, Dame Silvia Cartwright, at Government House in Auckland; and mounted halyard blocks from Black Magic NZL60.
Sir Peter, New Zealand's best known yachtsman, was killed by thieves known as river rats who stormed aboard his boat Seamaster while it was anchored at Macapa in Brazil after a scientific voyage up the Amazon River in December.
The dinner is sold out but telephone bids can be made by contacting Kathy Cunningham on (021) 743-378.
The opening race of the Louis Vuitton challenger series starts on October 1.
Nine challengers from six countries will compete in a round-robin series before progressing through to quarter-finals, semifinals and finals next year to decide who will meet Team New Zealand in the America's Cup.
