World sailing champion Phil Robertson joins Mark Orams and Alex Chapman to review the news of the exciting opening day of America's Cup racing. Video / NZ Herald
All you need to know ahead of day one of the America's Cup match between Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa:
The America's Cup match will begin just off the coast of Waiheke Island this afternoon, with Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa set for battle on the 'back paddock' course.
The sailing will be held on Course E this afternoon, set for a 4:15pm start. About 12-15 knots of wind is expected for race time, dubbed 'ideal conditions' by organisers.
Day 1 of the 36th America's Cup Presented by PRADA is here!
The outbreak is now thought to be contained and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Auckland's move to alert level 2 last week. That will allow racing to take place in the best-of-13 race match, albeit without crowds at the cup village or fan zones ashore.
Two races will be sailed today with an off-day Thursday. Racing will continue on the following four days — March 12 to 15 — and continue each day afterwards until one team has won seven races.
Team NZ will go into the clash as favourites, being the defenders and host, but Luna Rossa will be no pushovers having dominated the Prada Cup final 7-1 against Ineos Team UK.
Team New Zealand's Te Rehutai. Photo / Photosport
Speaking at the press conference on Tuesday ahead of the first race, Luna Rossa skipper Max Sirena said his team was determined to prove the doubters wrong.
"We took the experience of the past campaign and try and build something different from the past," Sirena said. "Work out where we failed in the past. You really see the changes from the Christmas Cup to the Prada Cup final. We've had a big up and down.
"In the past we never really reacted enough to criticism. People wrote us off every stage. Now we are in the final. People are saying we will need a miracle to beat Team New Zealand. Let's race tomorrow and see what happens."
Team NZ helmsman Peter Burling said he had no regrets in the build-up to the cup match in what has been challenging circumstances.
"I don't have any regrets on what we've done along the way. Incredible campaign," he said. "A lot of changes with Covid, not having the warm-up events. At the end of the day, we're here now and tomorrow we get to race and find out for real."
"Everyone is really ready to go out and race tomorrow," Sirena added. "I said to the team we have nothing to lose. Only to win. I don't know if they are going to be a surprise. But I am more confident than ever going into a race against them."
Schedule
The America's Cup match is a best of 13 series, with the winner being crowned champions and awarded the Auld Mug. The racing window for each race day will be around 4pm-6pm, with the first race of each day scheduled for 4.15pm.
Mar 10: Race 1 and 2 Mar 12: Race 3 and 4 Mar 13: Race 5 and 6 Mar 14: Race 7 and 8* Mar 15: Race 9* and 10* Mar 16: Race 11* and 12* Mar 17: Race 13*
The Herald will have live updates on nzherald.co.nz/sport with AUT's sailing professor Mark Orams, while you can listen to live commentary on Newstalk ZB, Gold AM and iHeartRadio.
The Alternative Commentary Collective will also provide commentary with Live From The Bunghole!
America's Cup coverage is free-to-air on TVNZ. You can also stream the action live or on-demand on TVNZ.co.nz or on the America's Cup YouTube channel.
Restrictions at alert level 2
• Racing under alert Level 2 will be restricted to only be sailed on either race course A or E. Under alert Level 1, all courses will become an option to race on again for the regatta director.
