Sir Richard Branson sprays honeymooners Sir Ben Ainslie (right of group) and his new wife, Georgie Thompson, on Necker Island.

It would be understandable if Kiwi sailors Peter Burling and Blair Tuke had some difficulty in selecting the highlight of their podium-topping year in the 49er class.

Twelve years ago I pulled up outside Auckland International Airport's departures entrance and pushed a Texan by the name of Carter Perrin out of my beat-up Volkswagen. Then I threw his bags after him, said adios, and drove back to town.

The confirmation of Bermuda as the venue for the 2017 America's Cup presents the Government with a ticklish problem.

Auckland Council's major events funding body is interested in working with Team New Zealand to secure hosting rights for the America's Cup Qualifying regatta ahead of the challenger finals and 35th Cup match in Bermuda.

Oracle Team USA's defence of the America's Cup in a tiny tax haven in the Atlantic with the population the size of Southland is a joke, writes Toby Manhire.

Jaw-dropping decision to stage America’s Cup racing off Bermuda may see event disappear off Kiwi radar writes Dana Johannsen.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce has confirmed it would be harder to justify government funding if the America's Cup is Bermuda-bound in 2017.

Team New Zealand has made it perfectly clear that it does not want Bermuda as the venue for the 35th America's Cup.

The Government will not say how much taxpayer cash Team New Zealand have requested to help bankroll their next tilt at the America's Cup.

Jimmy Spithill is remaining coy about whether Dean Barker is the right man to lead New Zealand's next America's Cup challenge and is uncertain if the country should change its flag.

A long-serving member of Team New Zealand has broken ranks to become the first to publicly question the legality of Oracle Team USA's boat during the last America's Cup.

Team New Zealand has thrown its hat into the ring for the 35th America's Cup, confirmed this morning by the Royal NZ Yacht Squadron.

Russell Coutts has told Team New Zealand to stay away from a meeting next week between potential challengers and America's Cup holders Oracle Team USA.

Team New Zealand have been told to stay away from a meeting in London next week between potential challengers and America's Cup holders Oracle Team USA.

Mark down August 8 in the diary. It's when the future of the 35th America's Cup and that of its principal architect, Sir Russell Coutts, could be altered.

The America's Cup is in limbo once more and looks likely to remain that way for a while yet, writes Dana Johannsen.

Herald yachting reporter and America's Cup expert Dana Johannsen answers the big questions following this morning's latest twist.

The lack of clarity from holders Oracle Tean USA around the next America's Cup looks to have cost organisers its challenger of record.