Will Auckland cope?

Aucklanders caught up in the excitement of this week’s sailing glory will be hopeful their city will soon be confirmed as the hosts of the next regatta.

But questions remain around where such a massive event would be based, given the repurposing of the city’s previous Cup Village, and more importantly who would pay the hefty price tag with the city straining to meet day to day needs.

In tiny Bermuda, a small island was created as a site for their America’s Cup village and historic hotels renovated and more accommodation built.

Experts put Bermuda’s investment in the event at around $77million - the question for Auckland is where is that kind of money going to come from?

Mayor Phil Goff said the city was extremely proud of the win and would welcome the next regatta if that was what was decided.

But with the city battling to meet the demands of infrastructure and housing, Goff said there was not a lot of money to be thrown around for an event.

‘‘We have got a $27b infrastructure deficit in the next 10 years and that is a significant deficit...that is where my priorities have to be,’’ he said.

Goff said he expected roundtable discussions between major players, sponsors, central government and the council to take place sooner rather than later.

Sailing experts at Yachting New Zealand said the decision on where the course would run would first and foremost depend on which boats Team New Zealand decided to run with.

Wherever the race is held is likely to bring a localised economic boom in the form of cafes, bars, facilities and general infrastructure.