America’s Cup parade for capital
Wellington will host an America’s Cup victory parade on Tuesday.
The America’s Cup and triumphant Emirates Team New Zealand will be welcomed to the capital in a ceremony similar to the All Blacks’ parade after winning the Rugby World Cup.
Peter Burling and the team will be welcomed at Parliament from noon and will parade through the city, along Lambton Quay and Willis St, before a welcome and speeches in Civic Square.
Acting Wellington Mayor Paul Eagle said the lunchtime parade would give people from across central New Zealand the chance to pay tribute to the team.
‘‘These guys thrilled New Zealanders as they skimmed across the water in Bermuda. They were the epitome of grace under pressure and they were bloody brave – those catamarans are not for the faint of heart,’’ he said.
‘‘It’ll be great if people from the region can gather and give these guys the welcome home they really deserve.’’
Hundreds of fans gathered at Auckland Airport yesterday for the team’s arrival back home with Auld Mug. The return comes after three failed Team NZ campaigns before the success in Bermuda, where the Kiwi boat beat Oracle Team USA 7-1 to reclaim the cup.
Team NZ helmsman Peter Burling said it was a relief to finally get the cup home.
‘‘Thank you for all the support, it means the world to us. And being a proud Kiwi, growing up here and watching teams race for the America’s Cup, and then to actually bring the cup home is something that has blown us away.’’
The team had worked super hard and would enjoy the next few days of celebrations, he said.
‘‘I know most of us haven’t had a day off for as long as we can remember.’’
The cup’s arrival in Auckland was its first in New Zealand since Team NZ won it in the United States city of San Diego in 1995 and returned home with it on May 24 that year.
Assuming the next America’s Cup is held in New Zealand, it is likely to be sailed off Auckland. But Wellington has said it would be interested in hosting pre-regatta races in the capital, the home of team member Josh Junior.
This week the Government put $5 million on the table so Team New Zealand could retain its talent.
The early funding boost was similar to what taxpayers provided in the immediate aftermath of the disastrous 2013 America’s Cup challenge.
It was a ‘‘no-strings’’ financial commitment. But the Government’s resolve to be more involved in a defence, given the likelihood it would be held at least in part on New Zealand waters, appears to be far stronger than four years ago.