America’s Cup Race Village is open
The official opening of the America’s Cup Race Village took place yesterday morning in Auckland Viaduct harbour and Wynyard Quarter with a small dawn ceremony.
The ceremony marked a significant milestone for all of the event management team at America’s Cup Event Ltd (ACE) with COO Steve Dunbar saying: “It has taken a huge effort by a lot of people to overcome a lot of hurdles this year to get to this point. It makes me incredibly proud to take a minute today to appreciate the work of the team to get us to the day, the opening of the America’s Cup Race Village.
“We have some excellent family-friendly activations and facilities down here. The best part is that it is free to visit and be part of what will be one of the world’s largest sporting events in 2021.”
The dawn village opening was closely followed up by the official opening ceremony of the PRADA America’s Cup World Series and PRADA Christmas Race hosted by Challenger of Record AC36 (COR36) with a Powhiri, a traditional Maori welcome to the overseas challengers.
A warm welcome to all of the visitors for the America’s Cup was also echoed in the welcome speeches of dignitaries Minister Hon. Stuart Nash and Auckland Mayor, Hon. Phil Goff.
Joining the host dignitaries on stage was COR36 CEO representative in Auckland and Title Sponsor Liaison Francesco Longanesi Cattani, as well as the Italian Ambassador in New Zealand Francesco Calogero, the United States of America Vice Ambassador Kevin Covert, and the Consul General in Auckland (and deputy Governor of the Pitcairn Island) Robin Shackell.
“This was an impressive ceremony, dense with meanings and of cultural references, one you will never forget,” says Longanesi. “The village is now open, and this is an achievement in itself: to accomplish the work under the many unpredictable and difficult circumstances which occurred, respecting the deadlines and the timing without compromising the top-quality standards to which we had committed to, has been a great success. On behalf of Patrizio Bertelli – CEO of the PRADA Group – I would like to extend his appreciation, thanks and congratulations to all the workers, teams and suppliers who have contributed to this success”.
