Team NZ not sure of top wind speeds

Team New Zealand are upping the ante as the push to discover the upper wind limits of the New America’s Cup boats.

The defenders are in their final phase of testing before they take a brief break for Christmas.

The fleet for the 2021 is eager to know where the wind limits will be set for the new foiling monohull class.

But with so much unknown about the potential of the 75-foot boats, Team New Zealand are taking a wait-and-see approach as they push the boundaries.

They have had Te Aihe out in winds as strong as 22-24 knots on the Waitemata Harbour and Hauraki Gulf as they continue to train on the courses that will be used for racing in Auckland.

The city’s mixed wind range in recent times has also allowed them to look at the boat’s performance in light conditions as they continue to test their 200sqm Code Zero sail.

Team New Zealand’s chief operating officer Kevin Shoebridge told it could be some time before a fixed wind range is confirmed, simply because it was an unknown factor with the four heavyweight teams in the infancy of their testing on the new boats.

They didn’t want to set themselves restrictions now that wouldn’t be relevant in the coming year as the Cup countdown heats up and teams get increasingly comfortable with the radical boats.

The opening World Series regatta in Italy in April could be the first opportunity to provide realistic guidelines for boats that look capable of pushing through the 50-knots speed barrier.

‘‘Because it’s a brand new class there’s a lot of stuff getting learnt every single day and there is a lot of speed on the table,’’ Shoebridge said.

‘‘The reality is none of us really know. There’s no point making a rule that we are going to have to change down the track because you got it wrong.

‘‘I think it’s a matter of doing some racing in Cagliari and let everyone get sorted out.’’

Shoebridge reports satisfaction with the boat in strong winds. ‘‘We have been right at the top of the wind range which actually went really well. In a lot of ways you feel more in control than the cats ever were at the top end . . . it’s feeling pretty nice.’’