On 6 March 2021, Emirates Team New Zealand will hit the waters of the Waitemata Harbour to defend the America’s Cup in the first race of the finals.
With just over 700 days until the first race for the 36th America’s Cup, Auckland’s preparation for the 36th America’s Cup is gathering pace and the transformation of the city’s waterfront is underway.
“The America’s Cup is going to bring vibrancy and excitement as well as visitors and jobs to the City, as Emirates Team New Zealand readies itself to take on the best in the world,” says Mayor Phil Goff.
“With two years today until the first race takes place, Auckland Council and Government are working hard to put the necessary infrastructure in place.
“With the team village in the heart of the city and the races themselves visible from the shore, the event is going to be more accessible than ever to Aucklanders.
“AC36 will be the best America’s Cup yet, and we will have a great opportunity to showcase our city, our technology and sporting skills to the world,” Phil Goff said.
Resource consents are in place and the Wynyard Edge Alliance – the Auckland Council and New Zealand Government-owned agency created to drive the infrastructure requirements – is leading the delivery of a number of crucial construction projects.
The process of removing the storage tanks on Wynyard Point is nearing completion; Hobson Wharf is being extended; and the alliance has also started work on a breakwater along the western side of Hobson Wharf which will ensure the berths being built there will be as tranquil as possible.
Dredging of the outer Viaduct Harbour and its entrance channel are being done to make the area deep enough for syndicate race boats to access.
At the waterfront’s western end, 100-year-old Wynyard Wharf has been undergoing strengthening, so it can hold the weight of construction equipment and, eventually, the base cranes that will launch race boats.
Once complete, the work will have created bases for the six confirmed challengers, Emirates Team New Zealand, and Luna Rossa – the Challenger of Record, the wider village space, and on-water space for the race yachts and visiting superyachts to moor.
By mid-to-late 2019, when teams are expected to arrive, the result of the current work will be there for all to see.