Cup Briefs: Luge puts paid to sailing

The Hawaiians have their first casualty in New Zealand before the Abracadabra boats touch the water. Crewman Tom Swift broke a leg on the luge in Rotorua last weekend and now will have to stay with Oscar, the team dog, while the rest of the crew go sailing.

Under canvas

Young Australia may work from a tent when they arrive as consents are still being sought for their preferred base on the floating crane, Hikinui. Village spokeswoman Sue Foley said: "They've got a great attitude - they're talking about putting up a tent."

On the net

The official website - www.americascup.org - boasting news, audio and video footage, is up and running. Telemetry will be fed direct from the yachts for the later matches. Team New Zealand also have a new site - www.teamnz.org.

Paths cleared

New Zealand Customs are trying to make sailing smooth for the superyachts expected to flood Auckland during the America's Cup. Hundreds of entry documents have been distributed around the Pacific to be completed before the boats arrive. Customs usually deal with about 600 craft in the October-December season - this year they expect 1500.