Total package for well-heeled Cup spectators

By TERRY MADDAFORD

You don't have to be rich and famous to spend a day wallowing in America's Cup glory aboard Base Club I, but it certainly helps if you or a mate are reasonably well-heeled.

The prices started at $495 a day (plus GST) for the early Louis Vuitton Cup rounds, $595 for the quarter-finals starting tomorrow, and $1495 (plus GST) for the big show come February.

Boss Bob Billingham has no doubt though, it is value for money.

Billingham was a Soling silver medallist for the United States at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and boss of the Oracle BMW Racing campaign for a year until he and Paul Cayard were sent packing.

He says he and his Travel and More NZ bosses give their clients "the complete package" and a memorable day on the briny.

No one would argue with that.

From breakfast at the Base Club overlooking the Viaduct Basin and right in the heart of the action, until the last of the canapes with a cocktail or three is washed down, long after the wannabe America's Cup challengers are safely tucked away, every whim is looked after.

"Everyone who comes out with us is getting entertainment and value," said Billingham, who was part of the victorious 1992 America3 syndicate.

"If you want to learn about what is going on and why things are happening, we are the experts."

In the second round robin, when Oracle, with Chris Dickson calling the shots and boss Larry Ellison watching from his huge launch Katana, beat One World, Billingham was on board Base Club I with the 50-a-day Oracle supporters - calling the action.

Some days he remains on shore, leaving the expert commentaries to his trained staff.

There are no shortcuts in this top-end deal.

Under a co-hosting arrangement with Stamford Plaza, the food is, Billingham insists, the best. On any given day, he will have a catering staff of 20 on board, with five or six looking after the boat and providing the commentaries. A further four remain at the shore base preparing for the post-race activities.

"It is a big operation," he said. "The Auckland weather has not been kind, but we still have to cater for those who have booked to come out with us.

"If there is no racing we improvise. We might take our guests for a Tiki tour around the harbour. We will show races from earlier days, put a jazz band in at the Base Club or do whatever we can to make for an enjoyable experience."

Considering the prices his German-based company Travel and More GmbH charge, there are many who feel Billingham and Co are creaming it.

Not so, he says.

"We are way below a break-even figure. We always knew October would be slow, but even when it picks up, we will be lucky to cover our costs."

The 30m catamaran, with a 300-person capacity, is virtually purpose-built for the task.

Built in Australia for a whale-watching company, the boat was launched in August this year and crossed the Tasman on a 50-hour delivery voyage from Brisbane to Russell.

Designed to give the best-possible viewing for whale-watching off the Queensland coast, the big windows and expansive decks are ideal for yacht-watching.

"We had the option on another couple of boats until we became aware of this one," Billingham said.

"Being new and so well-finished, it was ideal. By the time we give it back we will have paid a quarter of its construction cost under our leasing arrangement.

"But this is what we set out to achieve. We want to give the people who want to watch in comfort the best we can. Sure, you can go out with one of the other companies and pay just $50 a day. Then pay for a sandwich and a beer and have no one to tell you what is going on. That's fine, but it is not the market we are aiming for."

Billingham reckons this is the best America's Cup yet. He has lived in Auckland almost exclusively for the past three years preparing.

"The interest has been fantastic. We have already sold 10 of our top-of-the-range packages [a snip at just $50,000 each] which gives you eight days - one in each of the Louis Vuitton rounds and one during the America's Cup."

Would he like to see Team New Zealand retain the Auld Mug and with it the chance to recoup some of his outlay?

"Sure. But if it goes, we are well-positioned to go with the cup whether it is in [my home town] San Francisco or Europe."

America's Cup fever is, no doubt, building. As more and more decide to head out for a day's action, the sleek Base Club I will surely come into its own.

Who knows, it might be a long time before Aucklanders get the chance again.

nzherald.co.nz/americascup

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