QUOTES FROM THE PRE-RACE SHOW
The first Pre Race Show hosted by Bruno Troublé took place on the main stage of the America’s Cup Village. At last, the winds of the regatta blew into the Viaduct Basin, just a few hours before the first race between Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli. The Pre Race Show is scheduled for every regatta day at 11:30am.
On Saturday afternoon, about an hour after the end of the last race of the day, the PRADA America's Cup World Series Auckland Prizegiving will take place. On Sunday, also one hour after the end of the last race, will be the PRADA Christmas Race Prizegiving.
From INEOS TEAM UK Sir Ben Ainslie said: “All the boats will improve during this regatta. This event will be a step in the learning curve for all teams , and while the teams won’t be in their final configurations, I have no doubt that it will be a great spectacle for the fans.”
Tactician Giles Scott added : “Race course C has a lot of current and we expect the maximum speed just during the regattas. With these fast boats, the influence will be probably reduced, but it is still an important issue to consider.”
From New York American Magic, skipper Terry Hutchinson said: “It’s great to be here after three years of work and finally to race. We will understand where we are, how our boats sail compared to our competitors. We expect that during the next few weeks we all will do important changes”.
Helmsman Francesco Bruni, from Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team, said: “We enjoyed fantastic days in the pre race regattas, and now the first “official” regatta is something special. Each team has a lot of things to test.
Pietro Sibello said: “I start sailing on the 49er and these fast boats have something similar in racing: we sail very close to the shore in shifty conditions.”
From Emirates Team New Zealand, tactician Blair Tuke said: “We will meet the challenger and we are excited. Today we expect a good breeze on a wonderful race course. We are happy where we are at the moment with our second boat. “