Fans celebrate Team NZ retaining the America's Cup. Photo / Michael Craig
Fans celebrate Team NZ retaining the America's Cup. Photo / Michael Craig
Keen sailing fans are being discouraged from going to the America's Cup Village on Auckland's viaduct because it is "so full".
Yachtsman and scientist Mark Orams says people are being "turned away as the main viewing stage at the cup village is full".
The postponement of the first race today gave more punters a chance to head down towards the water, which was described as "heaving with people".
Hundreds of people are flooding into the area behind the events centre where they will hope to see Team New Zealand come back in. The lift bridge has been closed.
Auckland Unlimited is urging people heading down to the main area of the America's Cup Village to steer clear.
Awesome to see so many fans out there today. Quay Street eastbound from Lower Hobson to Queens Wharf has been closed to traffic for safety. This will give room to pedestrians and help move crowds when racing ends.
— Auckland Transport Travel Alerts (@AT_TravelAlerts) March 17, 2021
General manager Steve Armitage says they've hit capacity at the main stage area.
As per usual, bars along the waterfront are packed with people, with some saying that had waited hours to ensure they secured a primo spot to watch the racing.
They're encouraging people to move to other areas like Queens Wharf, Aotea Square or bars and restaurants that are broadcasting the racing.
Armitage says they were always expecting large crowds - which is why they set up screens in other locations around the city centre.
America's Cup Race Village is currently at capacity. If you're already in the city, head to Aotea Centre to watch on the big screen there, or one of the bars or restaurants away from the Viaduct. #americascup
One security official estimated there were between 2000 and 3000 people at the Viaduct by 3pm. She said it seemed busier compared with previous race days at this time.
Bars along the waterfront are packed with people, with some saying they had waited hours to ensure they secured a primo spot to watch the racing.
A staffer with the Taco Medic food truck said that today seemed busier than any other. They had sold out of food on several days and the staffer expected they would sell out again today.
Fans celebrate Team NZ retaining the America's Cup. Photo / Michael Craig
Today's event has attracted fans from across the country, with some driving hours from around the North Island to potentially witness history.
Te Aroha mum Mary Reason and kids James and Ismene drove up to Auckland today with the hope of seeing Team New Zealand win their final race.
"It's awesome," James said. "My mind is blown away."
James, Ismene, Mary Reason from Te Aroha.
James, a keen sailor at 10 years old and a member of Peter Burling's old sailing club in Tauranga, was fairly confident conditions would allow racing.
With two kids right into their sailing, Reason said today's atmosphere had met their expectations.
Twenty-year-old Hailey Regan, daughter of Team New Zealand head of shore crew and construction Sean Regan, had followed racing all her life and was excited to see the Kiwis race for their final win in the America's Cup.
Despite clear memories of Oracle's comeback in San Francisco in 2013 under Jimmy Spithill, Regan was confident the boys would get the job done today.
"You do have a bit of [memories] of San Francisco but we've got a good team and a fast boat," she said.
While most were excited about the big race, some had made the trip downtown to see goats.
Whenuapai goat lovers Grant Solley and Nichola Ridley with their two goals, Steve and Chips.
Whenuapai goat lovers Grant Solley and Nichola Ridley are one of the main attractions for people walking along the Viaduct with their two goats: an almost 4-year-old Saanen Nueian cross named Steve and a 9-month-old mixed breed named Chips.
The pair, who have 12 goats between them, said they had been asked for hundreds of photos over the past few days with many kids excited to find what they thought were dogs were actually goats.
"We love seeing people happy and smiling," Solley said.
Hannah Cabel. Photo / Julia Gabel
Hannah Cabel said she was feeling excited to be down at the waterfront. She had tried to get into the now blocked off spectator area but it was jam-packed.
She started watching the America's Cup in San Francisco in 2013.
Jerry Robertson, Junior Lotu and Todd Vaele. Photo / Julia Gabel
Dave Mellor came via ferry from Orewa for the race - and was a ecstatic after the win. He expected the win - and is a huge fan of racing or, as he puts it, anything with sails on it.
Todd Vaele took the day off work to be at the waterfront for today's racing - and said he felt "awesome" after Team NZ's win.
He said they would stay out at Auckland's waterfront for the whole night to celebrate.
"[It's] awesome, we are champions. We have the best sailing in the world. That's why they call us the City of Sails."
Brad and Paul Brown. Photo / Julia Gabel
Paul Brown said he's feeling "elated" after Team NZ's win and called it a proud moment. It took him back to his earliest memory of the Cup in '95 when he was 16 and Team NZ also won.
