We're all ready to party hard, so touch wood

By SUZANNE McFADDEN

New Zealand is getting ready to party for its first big success of the new century.

But Team New Zealand do not want to tempt fate one win short of a historic America's Cup victory.

Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and even the Italian town of Arezzo are planning parades for Team New Zealand and Prada - regardless of who wins the Cup.

Prime Minister Helen Clark wants to invite the crews to Wellington next week to acknowledge their achievements.

Team New Zealand are on the verge of becoming the first non-American team to successfully defend the Cup, but they don't like to push their luck by talking about celebrations.

Regardless, preparations are in full swing in case it happens today - from the Cup handover in the Viaduct Basin when the boats come in, to a parade down Queen St, probably this weekend.

The traditional champagne spraying and swilling ceremony will take place on a pontoon in the basin, outside the Loaded Hog.

The one thing the team won't be able to do is drink from the cup - the neck is plugged.

Win or lose, the black boat will do a lap inside the Viaduct Basin to acknowledge the thousands of supporters who line the docks every day. After Prada won the Louis Vuitton Cup, thousands of spectators were disappointed when the boats stopped at the entrance to the village.

For safety reasons, police will control the number of people around the ceremony area. Boats will not be allowed in unless they have regular berths in the marina.

The official prizegiving will be held two days after the final race - on Saturday if Team New Zealand win today. It will be a ticketed affair on the floating stage in the Waitemata Plaza with some public seating.

Team New Zealand were not planning a parade like 1995 - there was no money in their budget for it.

But cities around the country are offering to pay for the crews to be carried down their main streets.

Councils in the Auckland region are banding together to pay for a parade down Queen St. Ann Townsley, who organises the Auckland City Council's America's Cup events, said it would involve both teams.

"We're going to have it for both teams by popular demand. We've had a lot of letters from people wanting to see both Team New Zealand and Prada celebrated.

"We would like to see it happen on a weekend so all the kids can see their heroes."

Arezzo, the hometown of Prada boss Patrizio Bertelli, has invited both teams to the town for its annual festival in September.