America’s Cup tour skips Gisborne, local yacht club disappointed

Barcelona is hosting the 37th America's Cup but before the trophy heads to Spain, it will be doing a tour of New Zealand. Unfortunately, Gisborne is not on the itinerary. Photo / Maria Muina

The America’s Cup – “New Zealand’s Cup” in the words of yachting commentator Peter Montgomery – will not be coming to Gisborne during a national tour of nearly 40 locations in September, a decision that has disappointed Gisborne Yacht Club.

Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron media liaison Hamish Williams said the squadron was “gutted” one of the oldest sporting trophies would not be making an appearance in Tairāwhiti.

“We would like to do more.”

The tour was a grassroots type operated by volunteers and it could not visit every possible destination, he said.

The squadron had received many inquiries from districts that, unfortunately, had not been included on the tour.

Williams reiterated the squadron and Team New Zealand appreciated the support of all New Zealanders

“Their support is vital.”

Gisborne Yacht Club spokesman Peter Millar said the club was not initially aware of the tour.

“We did make an application, albeit late, for this as soon as we found out about it.

“We only just got a response on Tuesday that the tour was set in stone.

“Gisborne missed the 2017 tour as well, so this naturally was a bit of a disappointment.”

The cup was in Gisborne in 2019 when the Gisborne Terrier Race Against Time team combined with Team New Zealand to host the Terrier 300 Nautical 300 Club America’s Cup Wine and Dinner Evening with Montgomery as the guest speaker.

Gisborne Terrier Race Against Time raises funds to support those with breast cancer.

“That event was such a resounding success and those from Team NZ who came with the Cup made comment they would love to come back,” Millar said.

“Had Gisborne been included this time, it would have been timely as some schools are included in the 2024 tour.

“Our high school-based sailors could have promoted this at Gisborne Girls’ High School and Gisborne Boys’ High School, and showcased sailing here in Tairāwhiti before they head off to university next year.

“Fingers crossed Team NZ wins again and that the cup again travels New Zealand, with Gisborne Yacht Club – the first yacht club in the world to see the sun – getting that opportunity as a matter of course, having now missed out twice, and the favourable response from those who came for the Terrier Event.”

This year’s tour has been branded as the Toyota Kiwi Cup Tour and is being promoted as the “most publicly accessible tour of the America’s Cup is coming to a town or city near you”.

The tour features 12 yacht clubs, 10 schools and 17 car dealerships between September 2 and September 20.

The closest the cup comes to Gisborne is Napier on September 4.

Napier and Tauranga are the only North Island tour locations between Wellington and Auckland.

The 37th America’s Cup starts in Barcelona on August 23 (NZ time), with Team New Zealand’s defence comprising of a first-to-seven wins series beginning on October 12.

“We wish Team NZ all the best,” Millar said.

“We hope that a successful defence will see the America’s Cup back here in Tairāwhiti.”