Beyond the Cup - American Magic Helmsman Dean Barker and Live Sail Die's Chris Steele join AUT Sailing Professor Mark Orams and Matt Brown to discuss all of the news ahead of the Prada Cup Final, between INEOS Team UK and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli. Video / NZ Herald
Team New Zealand have approached several international cities with a view to hosting the next America's Cup, should they retain Auld Mug in March. As first reported by Herald investigative reporter Carolyne Meng-Yee, Team New Zealand and its advisers anticipated starting contact with potential host venues in October last year - months before the latest America's Cup races began in Auckland.
Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Michael Barnett and mayor Phil Goff agree the public's expectation is that racing would remain in New Zealand if Team NZ successfully defends the Auld Mug.
Luna Rossa and Team New Zealand have agreed to keep the limit at 21kn - as opposed to 23kn as originally agreed - despite Ineos Team UK's opposition.
The Challenger of Record and Defender have also decided to reinstate the 15-minute delay card, after Luna Rossa had it scrapped ahead of the semifinal against the Americans.
Sirena was referring to the situation that has left Ineos Team UK on a 'yellow card' heading into the Prada Cup final, one slip away from losing a race due to disqualification.
Herald sailing writer Christopher Reive agrees with Sirena, arguing that Luna Rossa aren't the bad guys, and are merely playing the game.
A weakness for Team NZ?
Luna Rossa believe they've found some weaknesses in Team New Zealand, enough so to suggest a new holder of the America's Cup following the 2021 event.
The first race in the best-of-13 series final is set to start at 4.15pm on Saturday - an hour later than the semis. Here is everything you need to know about the battle that will decide who faces Team NZ for the Auld Mug.
Why Spithill v Ainslie could be a classic
The clash between Jimmy Spithill's Luna Rossa and Sir Ben Ainslie's Ineos Team UK could prove to be the best challenger final in America's Cup history, according to Herald sailing writer Michael Burgess.
Catch the latest episode of NZME's America's Cup news show Beyond the Cup (in your video player above). In this episode, Matt Brown and AUT's Sailing Professor Mark Orams are joined at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron by Barker and commentator Chris Steele.
Heading into the Cup racing?
• Give yourself plenty of time and think about catching a ferry, train or bus to watch the Cup.