Govt admits Amcup concerns

The government is ‘‘highly motivated’’ for the America’s Cup but admit coronavirus travel restrictions could impact yachting’s biggest spectacle.

That message came as challengers American Magic and INEOS Team UK pleaded for more information about how and when they could enter New Zealand to complete their Auckland bases and begin training on the radical 75-foot foiling monohulls that remain untested in racing situations.

With the New Zealand borders currently closed to non-nationals, there is growing anxiety among the big spending teams as time, the most crucial element in the America’s Cup, slips away.

But New Zealand is equally anxious not to lose the huge gains made in containing the coronavirus pandemic early.

Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford was giving little away when he released a statement, saying: ‘‘At this stage it is hard to know the extent to which Covid-19 will affect the 36th America’s Cup in Auckland, however there is likely to be some impact.

‘‘The government is highly motivated to see the 36th America’s Cup go ahead. However, critical factors including restrictions on gatherings, and any restrictions for borders both here and internationally still have to be worked through.’’

Grant Robertson, Minister of Finance and Minister of Sport, revealed to Magic Talk radio that some exceptions had already been made to the current rules.

‘‘There was an urgent need to fix a gas pipeline, and they needed specialists. We can grant exemptions for that kind of thing,’’ Robertson said.

‘‘Now we have to say as we move down the alert levels – ‘what do we do for the likes of the America’s Cup?’.

‘‘That work is underway and we have been talking to Team New Zealand and we hope to have some announcements to make about that soon.’’

He suggested the government would be reasonable in their timeframes for the supply of information.

‘‘Obviously they [the teams] want to be in here in the next couple of months. We need to be able to at least give them a response before that time.’’

American Magic have their first generation boat on a container ship heading to Auckland, making the call early and gambling that the travel restrictions will ease. The British syndicate are waiting to see what unfolds as they juggle whether to continue testing in Portsmouth or pack it to New Zealand.

Luna Rossa have decided to extend their training in Sardinia, not planning to arrive in Auckland until October.