Team NZ back on the water
Team New Zealand made a strong return to the water after having their America’s Cup boat in the shed for the past two weeks.
The defenders have had Te Aihe back sailing after what is believed to be a period of adjustments to the 75-foot foiling monohull as they ramp up their crucial testing phase.
Emirates Team New Zealand are already working on designs for their second boat which will be used to defend the Auld Mug in March 2021.
The data being fed off Te Aihe is crucial to the development of the second generation of the radical boat.
Observers on the Hauraki Gulf have been impressed by Te Aihe’s performance this week in a mix of light airs and 20 knots of breeze.
Some of those getting a closeup look at Team New Zealand’s boat included rival syndicates eager to check out any noticeable improvements from the time away in the shed.
All four heavyweight syndicates are progressing with their testing and releasing tit-fottat videos of their progress with foiling tacks and other manoeuvres as they get to grips with these revolutionary boats.
It’s been a busy week for Team New Zealand which included showing off the America’s Cup on the royal tour being made by Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.
During their test runs Team New Zealand even got up close to the 49er sailors training in Auckland for the looming Ocean and world championships.
Team New Zealand aces Peter Burling and Blair Tuke will be involved in those two events as they briefly suspend their America’s Cup training to return to Olympic class sailing where they are looking to qualify for Tokyo 2020 and defend the gold medal they won at the Rio de
Janiero Olympic Games in 2016.
Burling and Tuke have entered the Oceania championship which start on Monday, looking to use them as a warmup for the world championships that run from December 3-8 and are being hosted by the Royal Akarana Yacht Club.