Team NZ happy off the water

Team New Zealand will take a different approach to their preparations for the 2021 America’s Cup, with the team at this stage unlikely to sail a scaleddown model of the AC75.

While challengers Ineos Team UK, American Magic and Luna Rossa have all launched scaled-down vessels, Team New Zealand designer Dan Bernasconi told the Herald they were in no rush to get a boat on the water.

“We’ve put our efforts into simulation,” Bernasconi said.

“We believe a lot in the skill of our simulation engineers and being able to develop stuff that way.

“It worked for us last time, so while it’s good to see other teams proving the concept, we’re pretty confident in our path.”

While other teams have been able to test the concept on the water, some have experienced issues, including capsizes.

While Team New Zealand stay dry running simulations, Bernasconi said they had eyes on the other teams to stay on top of how they were tracking in their preparations.

“We’ve got guys over in the States and the UK looking at how those boats are sailing and, yeah, we’re pretty interested and paying close attention to what’s happening.

“We’re gaining a little bit from that. Hopefully they’re not able to see what we’re doing in the simulation world behind closed doors.”

Team New Zealand chief executive Grant Dalton has mentioned how important technology, including simulations, will be in the lead-up to the 2021 regatta, and the team have partnered with Spark to make the most of their proposed 5G network.

While it is still awaiting Government sign-off, Bernasconi was confident the network would get across the line.

Spark have set a July 1, 2020, date for when they envision the network will be available commercially.

Team New Zealand are likely to have access to the network before that date, which would allow them to take their testing to a new level.

The network will allow the team to get data points such as boat speeds, loads and pressures straight from the boat and back to the design team on land. This will allow them to have it ready for sailors on their return to shore as opposed to the design team having to go out with the crew.

“We’re working with Spark to design a test programme doing some shore-based tests in [Auckland’s] 5G lab, and we’ll have to see if we’re able to get testing on the water before that date.”