Damaged Stars and Stripes on way to Auckland

Stars & Stripes USA-77, the America's Cup yacht that sank off Long Beach, California last week, will be repaired in Auckland.

The yacht left the United States aboard a container ship yesterday and is due to arrive in Auckland in 15 days.

Conner hopes to have it available for the start of the challenger trials on October 1.

The yacht is one of two built for Team Dennis Conner's 2002 cup challenge.

The other yacht, USA-66, will be shipped to New Zealand next week.

USA-77 sank in 16.5m of water about 0.5km off Long Beach on July 23 after the rudder post broke off, leaving a 36cm hole in the hull. The US$5 million ($10.8 million) sloop was lifted out by a giant crane hours later.

nzherald.co.nz/americascup