America's Cup bound for Hawke's Bay this week on its NZ road trip

Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron general manager Hayden Porter is very pleased to be bringing the America's Cup to Napier this week. Photo / File

The chance for Hawkes' Bay residents to see the America's Cup up close and talk to the men who brought it home is almost here.

The revered Auld Mug, at present under the stewardship of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, has been on the road with some of the Emirates Team New Zealand crew this month and will visit Hawke's Bay on Wednesday afternoon.

The Napier City Council is set to welcome the trophy to the region at a special ceremony at the Soundshell on Marine Pde, including a mayoral welcome, on-stage questions and answers, entertainment and an opportunity for photos.

With the event taking place in the second week of the school holidays, Napier mayor Bill Dalton said he was expecting an excellent turnout.

"We're crossing fingers for excellent spring weather. It's fantastic that our community can spend time with our inspirational Kiwi yachtsmen and gain some insight into what it took for the team in Bermuda to dig deep when the pressure came on, and come out on top."

The Napier Sailing Club will also be throwing its doors open for the afternoon; welcoming the public to look around the facility, take one of the Optimist yachts out for a spin or grab a sausage from the barbecue.

Manager Shelly Te Uki said the club was very proud to have the America's Cup crew come through the venue.

"Our Open Day will take place from 2-4pm, and I'm sure we'll get a good showing from a number of our 900-plus members too. Everyone is keyed up and ready to go! It's not every day you get the best sailors in the world right here in Hawke's Bay."

Royal NZ Yacht Squadron general manager Hayden Porter said the team were very pleased to be bringing the world's oldest sporting trophy to Napier and were looking forward to the trip.

The special ceremony will be at 1pm Wednesday, October 11, at the Soundshell on Marine Pde before the Cup travels to the Napier Sailing Club between 2.30pm and 3pm for the club's open day.