Barcelona, August 29 (EFE).- Some 19,200 kilometers separate Barcelona from Auckland (New Zealand) and before the start of the 37th America’s Cup Challengers match in Barcelona, New Zealand fans, sailing is a religion. , they already live the competition to the fullest and are dedicated to their team.
One of the most spectacular efforts is being undertaken by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS), the club representing Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZL). In collaboration with Japanese automobile brand Toyota, the team’s main sponsor for 32 years, they launched the so-called ‘Kiwi Cup’ last May.
It is an initiative with three parts: a national lottery draw, a regatta and a ‘tour’ of the trophy (‘old mug’) across New Zealand.
10,000 tickets were sold for 20 New Zealand dollars (11 euros) and sold out quickly. Half of the proceeds are intended to support nautical and sailing clubs, as well as various sailing associations and schools in the country.
The first prize was a trip for two to Barcelona to watch the 37th Copa del America live, worth €19,650.
In addition to staying and watching the match from Thursday 10 October to Tuesday 22 October, the lucky winners will have all kinds of activities in the city of Barcelona.
ETNZL’s general director, Grant Dalton, explained to EFE that the group was “very proud” of the Royal New Zealand Yachting Force’s initiative, which ultimately aims to raise money nationally for yacht clubs across the country.
“This is where New Zealand’s world-class sailing talent begins and two lucky winners will make an incredible trip to Barcelona to see us compete in the America’s Cup,” he added.
A total of 53,450 New Zealand dollars (29,400 euros) was raised in a fundraising effort involving 45 clubs, teams and maritime associations.
The rest of the profits went towards the running costs of the raffle and the RNZYS youth training programme. After the success, the organizers are already considering organizing a second raffle.
Another initiative is the Kiwi Cup Regatta, which will be held in Waitemata (Auckland) from September 30 to October 4, bringing together ten teams of sailors aged 14 to 18 from ten yacht clubs in the country competing with monohull fleets. Elliott 7 (7 meters) from Emirates Team New Zealand.
On September 2nd, the so-called Kiwi Cup Tour, which ends on the 20th, will see the America’s Cup Trophy tour New Zealand from north to south. A 4,500km route with 40 stops passing by Toyota shops, yacht clubs and schools.
Emirates Team New Zealand is yet to assess the total increase in team income with the deal to compete in the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona, forced to do so by losing part of its government funding. Auckland City Council for Conservation in New Zealand.
The group revealed that they are still based in Auckland and that 90% of their funding comes from overseas, but 75% is spent on New Zealand industries that benefit the local economy. EFE
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