Page 14
Waitamata Harbour
Aukland, New Zealand
6 Days Before the America's Cup
&
2 Days Before The Millennium (Super Yacht) Cup
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About the number of photographs!!!
I realize I have placed on this page an enormous number of photographs. Aukland is not just a beautiful place, but this week it is the home to the best sailing craft in the world. The amount of polished stainless steel and macho marine hardware in this port is unimaginable. About a week after we are here, Aukland will host the America's Cup yacht race. Actually, there are three races. For several months all the contenders for the challenge (New Zealand is the defender and was not involved in these events) race one another for the right to compete against New Zealand. This runoff is referred to as the Louis Vuitton Cup. The Swiss team has won that right. The American team sponsored by Oracle and its owner Larry Ellison actually came in second. There were 10 competing teams, each one of them having spent between $50 and $200 million dollars (US) for the effort. Now that the participants have been determined Team New Zealand and Team Alinghi (Switzerland), there is a week where the largest mega-yachts in the world compete. This race is called the Millennium Cup. So, scattered about the yacht basin like so many used cars are simply the most beautiful sailing and motor sailing yachts on this planet. Our ship was docked about 500 yards from Viaduct Harbour the center of it all. This year the various team's boatsheds housing the America's Cup challegers are all in one line easily accessed for viewing from the available water taxis. The NZ defenders and the Swiss challengers are right next to each other. What a day for photos!!!!
Aukland in the morning light.
They had two America's Cup Type racers at dockside for day sails. They were old New Zealand boats from previous races. Unfortunately they were already booked for the day. It was however, very interesting to see the layout.
Here one goes out for a 2 hour sail.
The local taxi.
Us again.
Here you can play the game "how many multi-million dollar yachts can you photograph in an afternoon?".
Still playing!!!!!!
Just another 30 million dollar sailboat. This one has a trunk.
Going out for a day of practice. You could have a pretty good game of volleyball on the deck of this little guy.
.Her are the two Swiss challenger's boats. They didn't have to choose which one to race until the next day. After that decision the shrouds are removed so that the hull design can be viewed.
An alternate hull with the keel and all rigging removed.
The name of the Swiss challenger team is "ALINGHI"
One of the Luis Vuitton Cup losers.
Another loser.
Another loser.
A celebrity sailboat race that was more suited to my finances.
The local BOBBY"S.
 One of the NZ boats being readied for a day of racing against their other boat.
Here is the defender's (New Zealand) headquarters. They are going out for the last day of racing before they must pick the boat which will defend the Cup. The boat to the right is in the water. The boat to the left, the hull covered in a shroud, is being lowered.
Here is one of the two being towed out to sea for the days racing.
 Here is the other New Zealand boat being towed out of the harbor. They will race against one another today.
A better shot of the NZ crew preparing.
 Street performers are ever present.
At lunch again.
More magnificent yachts preparing for the Millennium Cup.
This little baby cost $40 million.
$30 million tops!!!!
Donna spots one more her size.
These puppy's are in the 3 to 8 million dollar range. We knew we were headed into the poor part of town when we heard these prices.
As if seeing incredible yachts were not enough, they had some pretty nice old cars parked here and there.
Donna finally finds a model we can easily afford.
At one of the local pubs before dinner.
Here we have Mel and his girlfriend Jane. Pretty friendly place. He is a publisher of a series of books for hotels called "The Best of the Best" in New Zealand. He gave us one. Nice guy.

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NZ beer is wonderful.
Harbor side at night. In a word beautiful.