Cup Briefs

Buoy wonder

Local boaties will be able to glean the same weather information as the America's Cup challengers from a buoy bobbing in the Hauraki Gulf. The buoy was put out on the cup course by the America's Cup Challenger Association in 1996 and Team New Zealand have used the information in their defence programme.

Now the data will be picked up by the Auckland Coastguard and broadcast on the Marine VHF radio channels 20 and 21. Said coastguard president Kevin O'Sullivan: "By advising boaties what they can expect when they reach the course or even assisting small boat operators in making the decision not to venture out on unsuitable days, we hope to increase safety during the time of the Louis Vuitton Cup and America's Cup regattas."

Conner launches

Dennis Conner will officially open the door to his Stars and Stripes shop in the cup village this morning - although thieves have already jumped through the window. Conner's store was broken into on Monday night, and 70 pairs of designer sunglasses and a cash box were taken. Team Dennis Conner have since put a security guard on their site, on the new Gaunt St East.

Among the wares for sale in the new store are Conner's own artwork, half-models of cup boats and Stars and Stripes team clothing. It is a brief visit by San Diego-based Conner, who yesterday opened the New Zealand Boat Show in Auckland.

Next week he will sail in an international Etchells regatta in Australia with his Kiwi sailing partner, Alan Drinkrow.