By REBECCA WALSH
Auckland will be humming tomorrow as America's Cup sailors are officially welcomed to New Zealand.
More than 2000 crew, supporters and entertainers will take to the city centre for the official America's Cup 2003 and Louis Vuitton Welcome Parade.
All 10 cup syndicates are involved, including some of the
big-name billionaires backing the challengers.
Prada's Patrizio Bertelli, who arrives in Auckland today, and Peter Harrison, founder and chairman of the British GBR Challenge, will join their teams for the parade.
Team Alinghi's Swiss founder, pharmaceutical head Ernesto Bertarelli, is already in New Zealand but it is not known if he will join the crew and their skipper, former Team New Zealand helmsman Russell Coutts.
No one from the Oracle BMW Racing Challenge could say when American software giant Larry Ellison would arrive.
Police would not comment on security but officers from throughout the country will beef up numbers once racing begins on Tuesday.
The parade starts at 4pm and Italian crews Prada and Mascalzone Latino will be led down Queen St by the 65-piece Italian Navy Band from Rome.
The band, whose trip has been partly bankrolled by Prada, will also give a free public concert at Viaduct Harbour at 3pm on Sunday.
Abba-style dancers will accompany the Swedish syndicate and Oracle supporters will don the uniforms of San Francisco's 49ers gridiron team.
Not to be outdone, GBR Challenge - the first British team in 15 years - plans to feature a Mazda MX5 in Union Jack colours with an Austin Powers lookalike.
Team New Zealand will be escorted by the Army Band.
About 60,000 spectators turned out for the parade in 1999 and organisers are expecting a similar crowd tomorrow.
Prime Minister Helen Clark, Auckland Mayor John Banks and Ngati Whatua representatives will welcome the teams.
Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright will formally open the regatta.
The ceremony features musicians Dave Dobbyn, Annie Crummer, Hinewehi Mohi and the Auckland Pacific Gospel Choir - plus a video celebrating the life of sailing legend Sir Peter Blake.
Tony Thomas, executive director of America's Cup 2003, said the parade would be bigger and better than last time, and he encouraged Aucklanders to come along.
"The teams really want to get involved this time," he said.
"They want to compete and outdo each other with the parade as well as on the water."
The official cup programme goes on sale tomorrow.
By REBECCA WALSH
Auckland will be humming tomorrow as America's Cup sailors are officially welcomed to New Zealand.
More than 2000 crew, supporters and entertainers will take to the city centre for the official America's Cup 2003 and Louis Vuitton Welcome Parade.
All 10 cup syndicates are involved, including some of the
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