The Lake Wanaka boat was competing in the Nespresso 18-foot International Skiff Regatta and bore the blue and orange colours of Lake Wanaka Tourism on its mainsheet and spinnaker.
Skipper Kez Cameron, who has family connections to Wanaka, was joined by Stephen Jones (mainsheet), who works for Air New Zealand, and 16-year-old Tim Snedden (bowman), a member of the Mahurangi College sailing squad that will represent New Zealand at the 2013 Interdominion Regatta in Australia next month.
Lake Wanaka Tourism general manager and self-styled ''Admiral of the Fleet'' James Helmore said it was an easy decision to support the crew.
''Covering entry fees and adding the Lake Wanaka brand to the skiff's sails was a no-brainer, considering the global exposure we'll enjoy during the world's premier festival of yachting and at other regattas afterwards on both sides of the Tasman.
''We've been receiving some awesome photos back from Kez's photographer brother, Garrick, who's out there showing national and family support.
"He's usually captured Lake Wanaka ahead of Oracle when both classes have been out on the water at the same time, so it's great to see another Kiwi boat in front, especially with its Lake Wanaka-branded mainsail trimmed perfectly.''
During race eight of the America's Cup, when New Zealand's boat nearly capsized, the big screen in the America's Cup Village had cut to a shot of the Lake Wanaka boat with its spinnaker up, Mr Helmore said.
He was confident Emirates Team New Zealand would achieve victory and joked he would be putting in a bid to host the next competition.
''You never know, we've got the open water, wind and plenty of room to watch the action. I hear Wanaka Yacht Club is already extending the marina and organising a sausage sizzle.''
The Lake Wanaka boat was vying for the Mark Foy Trophy - named after the Australian businessman who successfully introduced 18-foot sailboat racing to a spectator audience in the late 19th century - against other crews from New Zealand, as well as Australia, the US, Denmark, Germany and Great Britain.
The last of the scheduled races was held on Sunday and, while Mr Helmore understood the Lake Wanaka boat had finished in the mid-to-late field, he was not concerned with the results.
''For us, it's more about building more awareness of the Lake Wanaka region as a destination.''
The 18-foot skiff class is regarded as an excellent grounding for high-speed racing such as the America's Cup, the Clipper Round the World and the Volvo Ocean Race (formerly the Whitbread Round the World Race).
Team New Zealand managing director and seven-time round-the-world racer Grant Dalton is an experienced 18-foot skiff sailor.
