America's Cup 2021: NZME's coverage bringing Kiwis closer to the action

NZME's America's Cup coverage.

The battle for the Auld Mug starts today, when the challengers face off in the first races of the Prada Cup in Auckland, and the New Zealand Herald will bring Kiwis closer to the action than ever before.

From breaking news, expert opinion and analysis, unrivalled video and interactive graphics - our team of award-winning journalists and industry-leading contributors will capture every moment of the action, drama and excitement of the 36th America's Cup.

Leading the Herald's star-studded lineup is New Zealand's very own "sailing professor" Mark Orams - a former NZ and world champion sailor, Team New Zealand member, author, environmentalist and Professor of Sport and Recreation at the Auckland University of Technology.

NZME's America's Cup video show Beyond the Cup.

Orams is joined by two other groundbreaking Kiwi sailors - Bianca Cook, who was part of the first professional all-female crew in the Sydney to Hobart Race and is attempting to lead an all-Kiwi team in the Ocean Race in 2022, and two-time winner of the match racing World Championship and helmsman of the Spanish SailGP team Phil Robertson.

Catch Orams, Cook and Robertson's expert analysis of races and watch them dissect every key moment on - and off - the water on our Beyond the Cup show, hosted by NZME's Cheree Kinnear, Alex Chapman and Matt Brown.

Follow the weekly revelations of our 'Secret Sailor' from within the America's Cup bases, keep in the know by viewing our daily wrap of all the action, and keep an eye out for our real-time race tracker on nzherald.co.nz for every thrilling race.

Heading into the Cup racing?

• Give yourself plenty of time and think about catching a ferry, train or bus to watch the Cup.

• Make sure your AT HOP card is in your pocket. It's the best way to ride.

• Don't forget to scan QR codes with the NZ COVID Tracer app when on public transport and entering the America's Cup Village.

• For more ways to enjoy race day, visit at.govt.nz/americascup.