Catherine Smith checks out waterfront activities celebrating the Volvo Ocean Race.
The weather gods may still be laughing at the racing yachts as they head across the final leg of the Volvo Ocean race, but high-pressure systems willing, the first boats will be sailing into Auckland some time this afternoon.
Current leaders Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing turned to port on Thursday, but in low winds anything could happen. However, with or without the boats, the landlubber excitement has already started. The Viaduct -- from beside the Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum all the way to Halsey Wharf -- has been transformed into a seafarers' dream. Architecture buffs have already been salivating at the scale and design of the pop-up buildings: there are two sets that leapfrog around the world from port to port. Check out the white steel and glass vision of Team SCA, the only all-woman crew.
It's been a while since we've had such great waterfront action in town, so it's exciting to get among the pavilions, have a go and watch the entertainment. You never know, we might love it so much, Waterfront Auckland will get rid of the carparks and finally join the dots for pedestrians between the Viaduct and Wynyard Quarter.
Techies and backyard boat builders will love poking their noses into the Viaduct Events Centre, where shore crews do all the repairs and maintenance of the fleet. It's a 24/7 operation as the boats have been pushed hard, and have to be readied for the New Zealand Herald In-Port Race in a fortnight before they head through the southern ocean on Leg 5 to Itajai, Brazil. You can watch close-up from a special viewing platform -- and figure out why this sport is worth millions to the yachting community.
Volvo Ocean 65 cross section
Get even closer to the boats than you might feel comfortable with, when you get to see what life is like on board a Volvo Ocean 65. You can crawl into a bunk, the galley and the workstations, even check out the toilet. A few minutes in the the tiny 10 sq m space on land (let alone in a stormy sea after hours of watch) will make you realise this is a sport for the tough and the brave. The 40 Knots Experience gives you the feel of the boats' speed.
The wittily named Another Day at the Office dome has movies (a stunning 40-minute film of the race and all its action) and plenty of things to try your hand at. Clever clogs will the battling it out in the regular quiz shows: more challenging than your average pub quiz night, you'll be testing your knowledge about all things Volvo Race, as well as testing yourself in physical challenges (six sessions a day, starting at noon).
Fun activities are planned for the duration of the Volvo Ocean Race boats' stay in Auckland.
The Volvo Pavilion has plenty of race information as well as chances to play with the latest Volvo car technology and see how cars can park themselves. There are miniature racing cars, trucks and diggers for the kids to play on in the Terra Aventura Playground: a real treat for aspiring young drivers who can blat around a fenced and carpeted track.
The Trophy and Leader Board area (just outside the Events Centre) shows what all this work is for -- the shiny Volvo Ocean Race prize. You can check out race and village information on the leader board (the LED board has art lighting and a sound system for pretty night-time effects). Another great after-dark show is the put on by the Maersk shipping people: their 9 Stack daily show has seven huge projection screens of spectacular footage (just beside the information tower). Wisdom, the race mascot, an endangered albatross, will also be wandering around.
The village is open daily, Mondays to Wednesdays, 10am-9pm, Thursdays to Saturdays, 9am-10.30pm, Sundays, 9am-9pm.
This weekend and next, at Te Wero Island stage you can catch children's "born to move" activities first thing, kapa haka groups and the fruity but fun Sea Shanty Society (singing, accordions, no pirates, unfortunately), live bands and DJs (Benny Tipene, Jamie McDell, Jason Kerrison, The Black Seeds and more) from late afternoon and plenty of entertainment on the big screens. There's Have a go sailing at the Karanga Plaza steps, and today, from 1pm you can build a boat on water. Eats and drinks are provided by the Stoneleigh pop-up bar and the Heineken Yacht Club (both on Te Wero Island).
School visits in the Race Village.
The weekend of March 14 brings the New Zealand Herald in-port race, starting with a sailors' parade at 11am.
After the boats depart, 150 lucky folks can watch the racing from the Members' Lounge, elsewhere there'll be big screens.
Follow the racing action, with live logs from the race directors (search "watch logs"), check out the village events timetable and learn more about the teams.
