It’s on the line again tomorrow!

After drama-filled racing days, the Cup is within touching distance! We’re stoked to be continuing the region‘s official ETNZ Fan Zone and you’ll want to be here to be part of the atmosphere should Emirates Team New Zealand manage to retain the Cup!

The ETNZ Fan Zone is operating under a club alcohol licence. This means that our registration process is all the more important as you’ll be signed in as the personal guest of a club member. The ETNZ Fan Zone is expecting a good crowd so make sure you skip work and get down early!

Grab your family & friends and walk, bike or bus down to the club to soak up the atmosphere. Come and support Emirates Team New Zealand in Te Rehutai as they seek to defend the oldest trophy in international sport!

See the programme

Race Zone

The Auld Mug on display at the RNZYS in Auckland. Credit: Emirates Team New Zealand

Whether you are a sailor or not, watching Emirates Team New Zealand take on (and hopefully beat!) the best of the rest in these fantastic flying machines is exciting stuff.

You’ll love the atmosphere in the Race Zone. Learn more about sailing, tactics, the America’s Cup and Emirates Team New Zealand during and between the races and enjoy the live broadcast of the finals on a big screen!

Those with a nose for a bit of history will know that Nelson Yacht Club is the oldest yacht club in New Zealand. The Race Zone is also where the Waterman’s Cup is on permanent display. Although not quite on the same scale as the Auld Mug, this trophy was actually made in London in 1841, five years before the America’s Cup! Don’t miss the opportunity to take a look.

There’ll be information boards and/or club members on hand to guide you through the history. Limited copies of Tracy Neal’s excellent “Sailors of 41 Degrees South” will also be available to purchase.

If you want to tune in to the tactical conversations on board the two boats, you’ll be able to check out a headset from Kiwi Silent Disco and switch between the dedicated audio channel for each boat!

Family Zone

The Nelson Yacht Club’s lower lounge – closer to where the action is – will host our alcohol-free Family Zone.

There’ll be a big screen here too, to show the racing, plus heaps more to do.

Colour in an AC75 with your best design and go into the Bowater Toyota competition. On Saturday 13th you can build origami boats with the MoreFM crew!

Learn some knots, check out some hydrofoils, try your hand at rigging a boat. See how fast you can do it and get your time on the leader-board! Play some classic sailing games, or quiz an experienced sailor about the wind, waves and water in our beautiful environment.

Joyrides

Go for a blast across the bay with an experienced sailor! — Hop in a boat or yacht with experienced sailors for your own sailing experience! Credit: Nelson Watersports Ltd.

Fancy getting on the water yourself? This is the perfect opportunity and it’s free! We’ll have experienced sailors taking people out for ‘joyrides’ in a variety of sporty boats from the Nelson Yacht Club or the big yachts of Tasman Bay Cruising Club members. Make sure you come early enough – it will be on a first-come-first-served basis.

On our weekend dates, these will be taking place before the America’s Cup racing – as we’ll all want to be catching the action! Should the racing be delayed in Auckland, then we’ll just have more time to get you out on the water here in Nelson! Joyrides will be subject to availability and suitable weather conditions.

Yachts from the Tasman Bay Cruising Club with spinnakers up! Credit: TBCC

Club Races

After the America’s Cup racing on Wednesday 10th, you’ll be able to watch the Tasman Bay Cruising Club Wednesday night racing get underway at about 1845.

Before the racing gets underway in Auckland on Sunday 14th, the local college team racers will be battling it out on the water in front of the club! Catch the action and learn how wind and tide can affect their tactics and support your favourites at every moment!

Food & Beverage

Choose from a range of delicious food and drink options to feed your hungry tums, throughout the afternoon and evening.

Fresh food, wholesome with a little bit of a nauti from Nourish Catering, supported with produce by Solander Gourmet Seafood, Moana NZ, and New Zealand King Salmon!
Tasty fast food from Penguins Nest
Pizza from Italian Pizza Garage (Saturday & Sunday)
Juicies from Tasman Bay Foods
Appleby Farms Ice Cream (Friday – Sunday)
Proper Crisps
Non-alcoholic drinks from Chia Sisters and other soft drinks
Steinlager, Mac’s & Eddyline Beer
Brancott Estate Wines & Fizz

Transport Options

Please walk, ride by bike or use public transport to get down to the club if you can. If you’re coming by car, park it at the playground car-park at Tahunanui beach. We’ll be running a free shuttle service with the Bowater Toyota community van to the club and back. Look out for this van!

Friday – 15:00 – 16:00 & 18:00 – 20:00
Saturday & Sunday – 13:00 – 16:00 & 18:00-20:00