Team NZ open doors - a little

By DITA DE BONI

Team New Zealand's multimillion-dollar secrets were not on show, but that did not deter hundreds of fans from visiting their syndicate base on its fourth open day yesterday.

Visitors talked to the team, had posters, caps and T-shirts signed, and studied displays giving punters some idea about the challenge to defend the America's Cup early next year.

The Freemans Bay base, parts of which were off-limits for security reasons, has been home to more than 100 sailors, designers, meteorologists, boatbuilders, sailmakers and administration staff since 1998.

Crowds of almost equal size lined up to rub shoulders with friends of the opposition - the Italian crew of Amerigo Vespucci, the 4100-tonne visiting naval training ship open to the public for the first time at the weekend.

Berthed down harbour at Princes Wharf, and with fewer secrets to keep, the 71-year-old ship will be in Auckland until the end of February.


nzherald.co.nz/americascup

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