The choice of venue for the next America's Cup regatta in Auckland has been endorsed by Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton.
Auckland Council voted on Thursday to extend and develop three areas around the Wynyard Basin on the central city's waterfront at a cost of about $140 million and use them as a base for the regatta, which will be held in 2021.
The decision, however, has met with opposition from central government, who had urged the Council to investigate developing a wharf to the west of the preferred option instead.
The Council's decision was not binding on the government and the two would continue negotiations on the venue and the potential split of funding for infrastructure.
Dalton, who helped engineer Team New Zealand regaining sport's oldest trophy in June when they beat Oracle Team USA 7-1 in Bermuda, said he was pleased the Council had made a decision on the base.
“We all agree that the Wynyard Basin is the better option,” Dalton said. “There is some tension but it is all part of the process. Sometimes it ends up being played out in the media and gets a life of its own. But we are making good progress and yesterday was a great step. We are engaged with the council and the government and we are moving forward.”
Read more of Dalton's comments here.
