I wandered down to the Viaduct Basin at dusk to take another look at the new Superyachet Kokomo

There is more info on the yacht here: http://www.alloyyachts.com/our+fleet/Kokomo+AY39.html and http://www.southernspars.com/southern/index.cfm?fuseaction=app.buildpage&p=471

The second page lists the specs of a earlier version of the same class of yacht:
LOA 51.7m
Mast LOA 63.4m
Boom LOA 22m

Yup the older smaller version of the boat had a mast of 63.4m, I would love to know the height of this new one.

This boat was moored near Westhaven Marina this afternoon on my way home from work. The photos have been taken from my cellphone and struggle to show the size of the mast. From my own guess it was around 50m in height. It would be one of the biggest yachts I have ever seen.

Great news announced this morning. The Louis Vuitton series is coming back to Auckland in Feb and March 2010. But bigger than better than ever. Last year it was a one off Pacific series, now it is a 4 leg World series where Auckland will be the second leg.

The rules are essentially the same as this year 10 teams, identical boats.

Last year the people of Auckland really got behind the racing, I certainly enjoyed it. I hope for more of the same this year.

Okay it is obvious that Alinghi has no interest in the rules of fair play or even putting on a show for the spectators.

The next America’s Cup Regatta currently held up in court rooms because of Alinghi’s desire to be able to change the rules and remove any competitor whenever they desire.

And yesterday they flew a Maori sovereignty flag off the back of their boat in an aparent attempt to stir up some emotions and controversy.

But todays debarcle takes the cake.

Refusing to race Team NZ.

On the news tonight Dean Barker could only repeat two words: “Pissed Off” over the incident.

Alinghi are claiming that racing would be of no benefit to them. Well even if you are leading the regatta it is still decent to race. Especially when it is a hyped rematch of the final of the last America’s Cup.

It seems Alinghi are running scared when they cannot control the rules for the regatta.

Okay the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series started in Auckland on Friday.

I watched the first day of racing streaming on the Internet and yesterday I headed up North Head to watch it live. You can check out the live photos on facebook http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=88301&id=656762268&ref=mf

But below are some screenshots from the online footage, Virtual Eye has really come a long way over the years and it is very impressive this year.