NZ's Americas Cup Catamaran launched in Auckland

Team New Zealand America's Cup new 72-foot  catamaran has been launched in Auckland and christened 'New Zealand by skipper Dean Barker's wife Mandy, before a large crowd of supporters and dignitaries - including Prime Minister John Key - in Auckland's Viaduct Basin.

Simultaneously, fireworks lit the sky as 18 months of work by the design and build teams was unveiled.

Team New Zealand's campaign to regain the America's Cup in San Francisco has been made possible by Government funding of $34 million, together with corporate sponsorship.  TNZ managing director Grant Dalton said the support of the government and sponsors who backed the team with such enthusiasm had made the launching possible.

"New Zealanders should be proud that their team attracts the support of these major international companies," Dalton said.

"The same can be said for the international designers, engineers and analysts who augmented our design team.

"We are proud of what we have achieved so far, working in a tin shed in Auckland.

TNZ will begin testing the catamaran in Auckland this week. They are only allowed 30 days on the water before January 31 under cup rules.

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