Picton ready for America’s Cup party

There’s a party in Picton and the top of the south is invited.

The Marlborough Sounds town will be the only place in the top of the south to catch a glimpse of sport’s oldest international trophy and the team which brought it home.

Members of Team New Zealand are set to visit on October 12 and details of the celebration are starting to emerge.

Picton’s own Joseph Sullivan, a cyclor with Team NZ, will attend, along with fellow cyclor Andy Malloney and representatives from team management.

They will be taken on a street parade and then enjoy a formal welcome on the foreshore.

Marlborough Mayor John Leggett says he is looking forward to the event, which coincides with the school holidays.

‘‘It should be a great night and I hope that people from all over the district will be there to enjoy the moment,’’ he says.

‘‘We’ll also be making sure that Nelson and Tasman people get the message that we welcome them to join us here in Picton to see the cup.’’

There has been a concerted effort to bring the cup to Picton with a Facebook group attracting more than 400 members following the America’s Cup victory in June.

The event has been sponsored by Marlborough District Council, Port Marlborough and Marlborough Sounds Marinas.

Port Marlborough’s manager of business delivery Rhys Welbourn says it is exciting to bring the cup to the top of the south. ‘‘We’re really excited to be involved in bringing the America’s Cup to Picton.

‘‘The Sounds has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world to sail with world class facilities and scenery,’’ he says.

‘‘We’re hoping the next gener- ation will be inspired to get out on the water.’’

A large sail, donated by local sail maker Kent Luxton, will be taken around Marlborough schools for children to sign before it is presented to the team at the welcome ceremony.

The Queen Charlotte Yacht Club will also host a private breakfast for the Team New Zealand sailors before they depart for the West Coast and later Kaikoura

For more information on the event, visit the Facebook page ‘Bring ETNZ to Picton’.

PHOTO: SCOTT HAMMOND/STUFF Port Marlborough property manager Ryan Lock, left, Marlborough Sounds Marinas representative Anouk Euzeby and Marlborough Sounds Marinas marketing and customer services Connie Smith are excited the America’s Cup is coming to Picton.