Sailors to hit streets as cup hoop-la kicks off

By Nick Perry

Auckland landlubbers have a chance to see the hundreds of sailors making up the America's Cup regatta when they parade through the inner city today.

Members of the 11 challenging syndicates and Team NZ - 1000 people in all - will march from the corner of Queen St and Mayoral Drive from 5 pm.

Each syndicate will have its own band, costumes and flags, with the French doing the cancan and the Hawaiian team dancing to Island drumming.

The New Zealanders will be swathed in silver and black.

Cultural groups from Auckland have been perfecting music and movement for weeks to give the flavour of each of the seven nations competing.

The America's Cup trophy will lead the way, followed by each of the challenging syndicates.

Then will come the Louis Vuitton Cup, with Team NZ, perhaps uncharacteristically, at the back of the field.

Blue lines will indicate viewing spots along the 1.4km route. Forecasters predict cool and possibly windy weather, but rain is not expected.

Organisers advise commuters to avoid Queen St after 4.30 pm. Rolling road closures will start from 5 pm and will follow the parade down Queen St until its conclusion at 5.45 pm on the corner of Customs St and Albert St.

Temporary Stagecoach bus stops and a temporary bus terminus for downtown commuters will operate between 5 pm and 6 pm.

The parade will wind up with an official welcome ceremony for invited guests at the American Express NZ Cup Village.