Fears city will miss the boat for challengers

By Suzanne McFadden

The key backers of the America's Cup elimination series have issued a wakeup call to Aucklanders who they fear are "totally oblivious" to the starter's gun.

Challenger series sponsor Louis Vuitton is concerned that some New Zealanders do not realise that racing on the Hauraki Gulf starts next October - and that Auckland may not be ready for the influx of spectators.

Spokesman Marcus Hutchinson, in Auckland this week, said he had discovered a "bit of a misunderstanding" as to what the cup season involves.

"Our big concern is the misconception among the people, the authorities and businesses. Many think the season is just two weeks in February 2000," he said.

"That may well be a problem. A lot of developments in Auckland are geared towards an event in February."

Racing among the challengers for the Louis Vuitton Cup starts on October 18, with the final early in the following February to find Team New Zealand's opponent.

The bulk of overseas visitors are likely to flood Auckland during the challenger series, to support their nation's syndicates while they are still in the hunt.

Half of the challengers will have gone home at the end of 1999.

Mr Hutchinson was surprised by the number of building developments around the city waterfront that would still be under construction during the elimination series.

"We are worried that there will be a shortage of accommodation," he said.

"All the super yachts and people in the top-dollar bracket are going to be tied up next to apartment blocks still being built - with jackhammers and dust.

"It's not a question of whether they will complain, they will just go.

"They won't be building the Olympic stadium in Sydney with people running around the track."

Mr Hutchinson said there were also plenty of positives since Louis Vuitton signed on as series sponsor a fortnight ago.

"It's pleasing to see there are challengers here taking it seriously a year out. And there is progress being made around the cup village.

"The challenger meeting in Bermuda last week resolved a lot of issues, racing dates were finalised and television rights were advanced."