Test boat damaged

Team New Zealand have significantly damaged their test boat in a high-speed nosedive and capsize on the Hauraki Gulf. The damage to the bow and foredeck is being assessed but could have implications to the fleet of half-scale AC40s that teams will use for the youth and women’s America’s Cups as well as build-up regattas for Barcelona 2024. Team New Zealand have recently taken their AC40 out of one-design mode to test appendages, sails and other configurations. The team was testing under manual flight control to the north of Waiheke Island in around 15-20 knots of north west wind speed and large waves on Monday when the accident happened. Team New Zealand skipper Peter Burling described it as ‘‘a really tough day for us as a team’’.