Spectators scarce for early races

By ALAN PERROTT

Too many vessels, poor weather and a tedious race schedule are being blamed for lower-than-expected charter boat bookings during the Louis Vuitton Cup.

Operators have been disappointed with the level of business during the early rounds of the regatta, but are looking forward to the boom time when Team New Zealand finally defends the America's Cup.

John Cowan, skipper of charter boat Parimar, said demand had been lower than he hoped and he had often headed to the gulf with less than half its 40-person capacity.

He is hoping Louis Vuitton finalist Oracle will lift its game and public interest this week by fighting back against Alinghi.

"To be honest I think the racing isn't as exciting as we hoped it would be."

He is still selling seats to the Louis Vuitton finals, but Mr Cowan is looking forward to the arrival of Team New Zealand.

A corporate client has block-booked Parimar for the entire cup defence.



Fullers has had a viewing ferry on the harbour throughout the regatta and is pleased to see public interest lifting.

Vanessa Freeman, Fullers America's Cup project manager, said it was hard to kickstart public interest last year, a situation that wasn't helped by bad weather during November and December.

Early trips commonly left dock less than half-full and the semi-final repechages aroused little more than a yawn.

"People are getting event smart and picking and choosing the races they want to see," she said.

But Ms Freeman said Fullers had already sold out the first day of the cup defence and days two and five were close to capacity.

Sally Lewis, co-owner of Nick's Cruises, said a lot of boat owners were upset, but she had no grumbles. "The bucks are fine, I'm not complaining." Business is picking up from a slow start and she is pleased to see customers from the last regatta returning.

"But it's not as busy as last time. They should have been racing when everyone was on holiday. Last time people came to Auckland because the racing was on, we were turning people away on the gangway."

Tourism Auckland is the booking agent for about 30 of the 100-odd charter boats now in harbour.

It is offering a day at an America's Cup final from $155 a person on Manukau City's charity catamaran to a seat on the five-star Base Club for $1685.

Bookings manager Rochelle Lockley agreed the longer format has affected public interest and said it was designed more with the challengers in mind.

The challengers - led by the bigger and wealthier campaigns - wanted to ensure there was a significant break between the Louis Vuitton Cup and the America's Cup match, so crew were rested and boats properly prepared.

Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker has said the format was a shame and risked turning the Viaduct Harbour into a ghost town over New Year.


nzherald.co.nz/americascup

Racing schedule, results and standings