By LOUISA CLEAVE
TVNZ is splashing out on a temporary studio at a prime Viaduct location during cup racing.
The broadcaster's land-based yachting commentators will be housed next to a VIP hospitality centre, The Base Club, which is being built on stilts at the Halsey St entrance to the harbour.
Club guests will
be able to watch the commentators at work through a tinted window installed between the club and the studio.
TVNZ has confirmed its line-up of presenters and commentators who will cover cup events from the land and sea. Denis Harvey, TVNZ's head of production and sport, said the team was similar to last year, with the exception of American sailor Ed Baird, who replaces Englishman Chris Law on the commentary team.
Baird will join John McBeth and Glen Sowry, a commentator during the last event and now TVNZ's director of communications, at the Viaduct studio.
Peter Montgomery will be back out on the water as part of the commentary team.
Yachting correspondent Martin Tasker will head the One News sport coverage, with Mary Durham also reporting.
