Sips from the Cup: Lady Pippa to officially name Team NZ boat

By JULIE ASH

Team New Zealand's first boat built to defend the America's Cup will be officially launched at a public ceremony in the Viaduct on Monday night.

Lady Pippa Blake will name the boat New Zealand and christen it with a bottle of Steinlager at 7pm.

The naming ceremony will be held off the island in the American Express America's Cup Harbour and the public can watch from Waitemata Plaza.

Team New Zealand's second yacht has been issued her sail number by the class technical director, Ken McAlpine.

NZL82 is still under construction, but is expected to leave the Cookson Boats shed in the next six weeks.

It is the first time Team New Zealand have had consecutive sail numbers in NZL81 and NZL82.

NZL82 is the 20th new sail number handed out this cup season.

All but one of the 10 syndicates, including defenders Team New Zealand, have built the maximum two boats for this cup.

Italian challenger Mascalzone Latino is the odd team out, with one new boat.

German campaign Illbruck was issued a number for a half-completed boat before withdrawing from the event.

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Swiss syndicate Alinghi celebrated a milestone at their Interactive Plaza on Tuesday.

Olympic sailor Lanee Butler, from California, was surprised to learn she was the 10,000th visitor to the base.

"This interactive area is a really good initiative," she said.

"It is a good way for the public to discover more about the America's Cup and have fun learning."

Alinghi executive director Michel Bonnefous said 10,000 visitors in three months was a great achievement.

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Everyone at Oracle Racing is being given the opportunity to experience life at sea.

All Oracle team members, including administration, chefs and shore team staff, have the chance to sail as the team's 17th person for a day.

One of the largest America's Cup teams, Oracle have adopted an in-house 17th person roster allowing every member of the team the opportunity to see what happens in training out in the Hauraki Gulf.

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GBR Challenge founder and chairman Peter Harrison has unveiled the official GBR Challenge collection, created by renowned marine artist Alastair Houston.

Harrison commissioned Houston to paint a selection of watercolours to mark the evolution of GBR Challenge, Britain's first America's Cup team since 1987.

To celebrate the challenge, an official print is being launched, with 250 copies available to the public.

They are signed by Harrison, skipper Ian Walker and the artist, and part of the proceeds will go towards the team.

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After two years of cup preparation, the Oracle BMW Racing team have captured 2.4 million seconds of two-boat testing data, including more than 400 races, and 1400 two-boat tests.

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The second Italian challenge, Mascalzone Latino, took time out to mix and mingle with their Syndicate Row neighbours OneWorld Challenge.

OneWorld invited Mascalzone Latino over to their base for a beer and barbecue after work eight days ago.

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