The America's Cup syndicates "could be based at an extension to Westhaven Marina" under a proposal that went to Auckland councilors on Tuesday, according to Bernard Orsman of the NEW ZEALAND HERALD. Lobby groups Stop Stealing Our Harbour and Urban Auckland have "drawn up plans to extend Westhaven Drive beyond the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron to accommodate eight syndicates." They have also produced a second option to "spread the syndicates across three sites at Wynyard Quarter." The groups, which last year "won an historic victory to stop wharf extensions into the Waitemata Harbour for port use," said that the America's Cup is an "opportunity to accelerate the transformation of the city waterfront." Urban Auckland spokesperson Julie Stout said that "extending Westhaven Drive was part of the yachting fraternity and a natural home for the syndicates." She added, "It strikes us as a win, win situation" (NZ HERALD, 8/1).
NEED FOR SPEED: The NZ HERALD reported America's Cup-winning helmsman Peter Burling "hopes" Team New Zealand persists with foiling catamarans for the next America's Cup. The new holders will "unveil their protocols for the Cup in September," when the venue, design type and nationality clause will be finalized. There has been "talk the Cup could return to more traditional monohulls, but Burling wants to race in something fast." He said, "I'm happy as long as it goes fast. It would be a bit of a shame to take a step backwards in terms of the speeds the boats can generate. I'm pretty sure we can come up with a rule that can keep pushing that forward." Burling is also a fan of a "bigger nationality clause." He added, "This time we had a very small nationality clause but definitely for me it seems like something that has got to be as part of the America's Cup. It is a friendly competition between nations and the Deed of Gift is a big part of it" (NZ HERALD, 8/1).
