Expected low tides in 10 days have America's Cup officials hoping the racing isn't all over too quickly. If it is, the prizegiving ceremony might be in a spot of bother.
The lack of water will leave the America's Cup boats stranded in the shallows, and unable to reach the usual
pontoon right inside the Viaduct Harbour where the Auld Mug will be presented.
The first possible day the Cup can be won is Saturday, February 22. Officials say they wouldn't mind a 5-0 Team New Zealand win, just so long as there are a couple of lay days thrown in to extend the event past next weekend.
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Team New Zealand's most loyal fan is not expected to be at the Viaduct on Saturday to sing the cup holders off to the race course.
Dave Dobbyn is instead believed to be in London, one of the team's sponsors says.
However, his song Loyal, which the Kiwis have adopted as their theme song, will be blasted around the Viaduct in stereo for everyone to sing along to.
Anyone wanting to farewell Team New Zealand or Alinghi is asked to get to the Viaduct early, with the boats due to leave for the Hauraki Gulf between 9.30am and 10am.
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Shipping news: The Emerald K, a 23-year-old, 37m ship, is an America's Cup fixture at the Viaduct, having occupied the same berth outside the Stars and Stripes base through two regattas.
Its owner is millionaire Mississippi lawyer and Dennis Conner supporter Dickie Scruggs, who made his fortune in lawsuits against the United States tobacco industry and asbestos companies during the 1980s and 1990s. He reportedly earned about $844 million from the tobacco cases alone, during which he helped protect Jeff Wigand, the subject of the Russell Crowe film The Insider.
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And the cup goes to: Team New Zealand 5-4.
Former world and Olympic champion event rider Blyth Tait thinks the New Zealanders will win, but the contest will be close.
"We really don't know whether Alinghi's been pulling out all their shots. They've been more dominant in the Louis Vuitton than Prada were last time and they're a bit of an unknown quantity.
"But I think Team New Zealand will win because of their determination, and they'll be fighting right to the end."
nzherald.co.nz/americascup
Racing schedule and results
Expected low tides in 10 days have America's Cup officials hoping the racing isn't all over too quickly. If it is, the prizegiving ceremony might be in a spot of bother.
The lack of water will leave the America's Cup boats stranded in the shallows, and unable to reach the usual
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