Compiled by JULIE ASH
According to an article in a Wellington newspaper, the capital would be a better location than Auckland to host the cup regatta - and be more dramatic and easier to watch, say experts.
"We have more sunshine, we have less rain, and we have more fresh air. That seems to be ideal," Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast was quoted as saying.
Prendergast said Auckland's weather was "bringing shame on New Zealand".
She suggested a course taking in Matiu-Somes Island, with the rough and tumble of Wellington Harbour.
MetService weather spokesman Bob McDavitt confirmed the presence of wind in Wellington. Records showed healthy breezes of between 44 km/h and 83 km/h last week.
While that may have been tough for the current lightweight cup designs, winds ranging from 16 km/h to 35 km/h from Friday till Monday were ideal.
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It seems people are turning up from all corners of the earth to cheer on Alinghi, who have at least 14 nationalities in their team.
Donna Ford, from Williams Lake, British Colombia, brought her own Canadian maple leaf flag to cheer on countrymen Kai Bjorn and Curtis Blewett.
"It's time these people knew there were other nationalities onboard," she said on the Alinghi website.
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While visiting Auckland, Prince Albert of Monaco put to rest rumours that Monaco is a possible candidate to host the cup if Alinghi is successful, but he did hint his homeland may think about putting together a challenge.
"Monaco has neither the infrastructure nor the right wind," he said, but added: "We have thought about mounting a challenge for the America's Cup, if it is organised in Europe. But so far nothing is concrete."
nzherald.co.nz/americascup
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