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Prince William takes the helm of an America's Cup yacht

by Lisa Mylchreest on 17 Jan 2010
HRH Prince William, goes sailing aboard a Sail NZ America’s Cup class yacht on the Waitamata Harbour - Photo by Emirates News SW

NZL 40 & 41 - beautiful to sail whether they can win or not © SW
NZL 40 & 41 - beautiful to sail whether they can win or not © SW

If you fancy the idea of yourself at the helm of an America's Cup yacht, then it helps if your name is Prince William.

The young prince is visiting New Zealand at the moment, representing his mother Queen Elizabeth II and having a sail at the same time.

So this week Prince William sent sailing on one of New Zealand's America's Cup yachts, NZL40, taking the helm - but under the watchful eye of the 'real' skipper Dean Barker. It is no doubt a different schedule to what it would have been if the Queen herself had been visiting.

He is on a five day tour of the Antipodes, with the next stop Australia. But he played down the idea that he might be taking on more of the Queen's duties in the future. 'Let's see how this goes,' he told inquiring reporters.

Alternatively, if your name is not Prince William, you can charter one of the two America's Cup boats NZL40 and NZL41 for around NZ$2,650 for a couple of hours in Auckland.

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