Coutts comes full circle with America's Cup

Russell Coutts and Team NZ successfully defended the America's Cup back in 2000. Photo / Martin Sykes

The America's Cup is returning to New Zealand - for a short time only.

Cup-holders BMW Oracle are bringing the Auld Mug to Auckland as part of a travelling roadshow designed to recapture public interest in the prestigious yachting event after the public relations nightmare that was the 33rd America's Cup.

The trip to Auckland coincides with the final week of the Louis Vuitton Trophy, in which eight America's Cup syndicates are competing.

The silver ewer was scheduled to arrive here in its very own first-class seat aboard an Air New Zealand jet from San Francisco this morning with Golden Gate Yacht club representative Tom Ehman.

Upon arrival in Auckland, the oldest trophy in world sport will be escorted by a private security firm to Voyager, the New Zealand Maritime Museum, where it will be on display for the next three days.

It has been seven years since the Auld Mug last rested on New Zealand shores before Alinghi wrested it away from Team New Zealand's clutches with a comprehensive 5-0 win in the now infamous 2003 America's Cup.

Until this year the Auld Mug remained the property of the Societe Nautique de Geneve - Alinghi's representative yacht club.

But Oracle's victory in Valencia last month in the one-on-one showdown, the net result of extensive legal action, saw the Cup return to the hands of the Americans for the first time since 1995, when Team New Zealand recorded their historic win.

Over that time Sir Russell Coutts, who skippered Black Magic in 1995 and is now the chief executive of BMW Oracle Racing and the brains behind their success in Valencia, has guided the Cup full circle.

"It's appropriate that we bring the trophy to Auckland this week," Sir Russell said.

"Most of the America's Cup community is in town, including Mascalzone Latino, the team for our Challenger of Record, racing in the Louis Vuitton Trophy. So although we weren't able to compete in this regatta, we wanted to support the event.

"Bringing the Cup back to New Zealand now, during this regatta, will help to get everyone excited and focused on what happens next."

The America's Cup will be available for public viewing at Voyager, the New Zealand Maritime Museum, at the Viaduct Harbour, from 11am-4pm for the next three days.

America's Cup back in Auckland:

* On show at the Voyager museum today, tomorrow and Thursday

* Public viewing hours - 11.00am-4.00pm

Entry - $5 (usually $16), children under-14 free.