A race organiser, Craig Seuseu, said Team Australia's entry had already drawn attention from other racing yachts.
''There's a wide range of boats that might want to compete and it's open to any boat class so that anyone can compete.''
In the past year, Team Australia, dubbed ''Australia's fastest sailing boat'', had broken several race records, most recently in February when it raced from Sydney to Hobart and shaved more than 12 hours off the record.
With about $1.5 million required for the race, securing enough funding had been an issue, but Mr Seuseu said that amount had almost been reached.
A large proportion of the money, which had been sourced from the Government and commercial partners, would be spent on festivities and a temporary marina in Bluff.
''There is currently no marina in Bluff so we have to set up a temporary one, but hopefully one that can be used in future years for this race.''
Fifteen boats have expressed an interest in obtaining one of the 30 spots in the race.
Entries for the race, which starts on February 9 next year from Auckland's Waitemata Harbour, open in a few weeks.
By Holly Ryan.
