As a nation, New Zealands collective attention focussed on the 36th Americas Cup challenge, the final limited race series between defender and challenger to decide the winner of the Auld Mug trophy.

With lingering summer weather, azure sky and light breezes, Auckland lives up to its given name, the 'City of Sails' to perfection, to host the Americas Cup regatta. This sparkling city on the busy harbour has a dedicated yachting fraternity and world-class marine services, plus the Americas Cup village in Viaduct Harbour. And the Skytower in the background completes the picture nicely.

The regatta started off with the Prada Christmas Race in Auckland, of which four teams competed: UK, Italy, USA, NZ, on 17 – 20th December 2020. The opportunity to test the strengths and find the weaknesses of these boats, first time on the water for foiling monohulls, flying AC75's, as a kinda dress-rehearsal to tweak the systems for the coming races.

All the teams had moments of elation and dejection, jibing, tacking or bearing away, flying freely with the wind or the doldrums where it could be sudden gusts of wind or no wind at all, capsizing. After many upsets, attacks and counter-attacks, Te Rehutai (Maori name for the Team NZ boat) won the Prada Christmas Races. [SEE: Auckland Americas Cup Christmas].

The Prada Christmas race was a clever marketing gift to NZ and the yachting world in that these high tech boats had not yet been in any active competition, since the technology was so sensitive and kept under wraps. It gave the Teams an opportunity to discover any major limitations without finding out during the actual AmCup fixtures, but more importantly it showcased to the global audience how unbelievably quick and agile the AC75 design could be on the water, so as to draw in and ramp up more interest and enthusiasm for the regatta as it progressed. And why the sailors wore crash helmets and safety gear you might see in Formula One car racing.

After the New Year, the next event, the PRADA Cup Challenger Selection Series in January and February 2021. This is where other three teams, American Magic, INEOS UK, and Luna Rossa would battle it out on the glorious waters of the Waitemata Harbour in the Hauraki Gulf, great days given the fantastic weather. Team NZ on the other hand could only watch and take notes on the other teams, thereby missing out on more race conditioning.

These three teams had to stay laser focussed on every aspect of a race as the AC75s are very close in performance, where a false move or err in judgment could cost them that race, at that point. It was getting quite tense as the going got tougher.

The Prada Cup (Jan 15 - 21nd) was a round-robin event, had its high and lows, ups and downs, and it was exciting to watch. It was a brilliant day on the water, we were on our way to catch the last bit of action when we heard the news - American Magic was out of the race: shock capsize of American Magic? American Magic, the US Challenger for the America's Cup, had to withdraw from the Prada Cup Semifinal, emotive jolt from the blue, hopes dashed; now it was Ineos versus Luna Rossa to vie for title of challenger.

The Prada Cup 2021 was finally won by the Italians: Team Luna Rossa, taking the honour of being the 'Challenger of Record' to take on Emirates Team NZ in the Match for the 36th America’s Cup (PRADA) starting on March 6th 2021.

The start date of the America's Cup Big Event was delayed until 10 March due to a temporary COVID-19 alert and Auckland's lockdown to Level 3. The Government response was swift and Auckland moved from Level 3 to Level 2 then to Level 1 soon after. The format was to keep racing until one of the team chalked up seven win. Luna Rossa (challenger – Jimmy Spithill) against Emirates Team NZ (defender - Peter Burling) – the two teams were by and large evenly matched. A misjudgement, or missed attempt to race ahead, was the opportunity to look out for.

Team Luna Rossa and Emirates TeamNZ took to the waves, in concert to outwit, out perform, outlast the other, over 10 days of spectacular racing on the Waitemata Harbour, Hauraki Gulf. The spectator boats were out in full force, NZ flags flying or Italian, giving a surreal fantastic atmosphere from start of finish, amazing days on the water in one of the few countries that are able to host international events.

On 17th March 2021, on the Waitemata Harbour, 36th America’s Cup (PRADA) Emirates TeamNZ scored the 7th race win , on Course A - Kiwis had won!!! A nail-biting finish, awesome three-month of trepiditious, nerves-of-steel exciting finish to the 36th Americas Cup challenge put on by Prada for America's Cup. The Prize-trophy of the Auld Mug would be held on the America’s Cup Village Main Stage (Te Wero Island).

News teams with 'bazooka' camera lens, tried to get the best shots of the proceedings, jam-packed and crammed-in with spectators, supporters, friends and family, officials and greats of the sailing community. Other supporters were stopped at the far gates, with surging crowds snowballed so much that entry to Te Wero Island was completely cut off… (that included us.) Te Wero island was already full to overflowing with supporters & well-wishers, as Emirates TeamNZ lifted the Auld Mug – elation & triumph, bravo.

Overwhelming relief and jubilation, all in the one-breath – many, many Congratulations! Well done, to all 150 members of the Emirates Team NZ, who incidentally were also awarded special Prada -designed medals. All over Auckland and NZ as the news spread like wildfire – what more in party-central: America's Cup village, Viaduct Harbour: let the P-A-R-T-Y begin!

At the Viaduct Harbour, from restaurant to restaurant, packed to the rafters, live bands were playing Irish music with gusto, feet tapping I just had to dance-a-jiggle or two. Crowds of patrons were in costumes of all-shades-of-green: green feather boas, swirly skirts, and more as it was St Patrick's Day as well.

St. Patrick's Day in Auckland?  It sort of slipped my mind to check up on the dates, the last couple of years.  We could hear the fiddling when we were walking towards the Viaduct, and wondered where it was from -- ahhh, now it became clear.  From early on, the merry-makers were queued-up at pubs waiting to get in.  Should we try? We went to the next bar, and the next....  The St. Patrick Day parade was on that weekend, postponed from before.  Festive cheer was in the air; celebrations were going to be huge.

SEE: St Patrick's Day parade, Cheyenne Saloon

From early evening till late at night with the fireworks exploding and empty aperitif/wines/beers/shots glasses – it was a heaven-sent opportunity to make merry.

Covid-19 health crises, vaccine or not to vaccinate: stay-at-home adage, separated tables, physical distancing, the ban on activities to combat Covid-19,.. a thing of the past on 2020; or could it come, again, without warning, as the year progresses in 2021?

We are fortunate to live in NZ, where freedoms are a fragile thing, never taken for granted – be safe everyone.

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