KIWI TEASER

Apparently according to the recon team onsite it was to check that the two boats could “talk to each other” – but quite what they were saying is anyone’s guess? However, what’s clear is that given the weather window, Emirates Team New Zealand are more than up for the start of the two-boat programme, and it will be a fascinating watch as new talent matches up against the established testing and race team to dial through the moves and show the world just what we can expect to see at full race-pace in Barcelona in the coming months.

With full-on top-end conditions out on the Hauraki Gulf, AC40-3 was towed out for a massive session that saw the new generation of Liv Mackay, Leonard Takahashi, Sam Meech and Marcus Hansen rotating into the boat to glean as much as they could from Pete Burling, Nathan Outteridge and Josh Junior who were all seen on the helm today. Blair Tuke stayed in the chase boat acting in a coach role whilst observing every move closely. It’s understood that when the team do actually get to the two-boat programme, Josh Junior will be helming on starboard with either Takahashi or Mackay in the port helm pod whilst Meech and Hansen will take on the trimming roles.

One bit of new tech spotted on the AC40-3 was the appearance of two tent-pole looking circular battens low down on the mainsail that poked out aft towards the mainsheet hydraulic ram. These appear to be simply strengthening for that crucial lower area that forms the mainsail/deck ‘end-plate’ connection where power is generated and maintained particularly in the take-off and all day, the mainsail looked rapidly trimmed and highly responsive as the gusts, that hit 22 knots at times, called for big dumps on both the traveller and mainsail. But it was overall a massively impressive performance with all credit to the newcomers on the team as they put in an astonishing 48 tacks and 26 gybes with a success rate of some 96% foil-to-foil and had the AC40 rocketing at speeds estimated at up to 45 knots. The rest of the AC world will be sitting up at numbers like that.

Leonard ‘Leo’ Takahashi, a superstar match-racer and a name that the America’s Cup world will be hearing an awful lot more of in the coming years, gave a terrific interview afterwards saying: “We had 44-45 knots when we were reaching downwind but with everything else going, it was hard to tell…But we’ve got some really good teachers in Pete (Burling) and Nathan (Outteridge) who have both been sailing on the boat with us and then at the end we were slowly just trying to take them out and put the other crew on and that’s been really good and probably the best teachers you could ask for.”

The introduction of youth and women into this America’s Cup cycle is something that simply cannot be overstated. It’s a terrific addition to the competition and what was proven, categorically, today is that if you have the talent then the AC40 is the only place to be. Liv Mackay, Leo Takahashi, Sam Meech and Marcus Hansen just arrived on the top table and their progress is going to be electric to watch.

All eyes on Emirates Team New Zealand now.

On-Water Recon Unit Notes: Another good session on the back paddock. Three crew rotations, Boat in full one design mode. Sailed well throughout session with no big moments. Good shape control, mainsail outhaul cars never at maximum travel, No flutter observed. New lower battens in main sail running past main sheet observed.

Dock out: 1230 Dock-in: 1605

Onboard Today

Helms/Crews: Nathan Outteridge / Pete Burling / Liv Mackay / Sam Meech / Marcus Hansen / Josh Junior

Trainer: Blair Tuke

Sail Used:

M1: 3 hours 25 minutes

J3: 3 hours 25 minutes

Total Tacks: 48 – 46 foil-to-foil, 2 touch & go

Total Gybes: 26 – 25 foil-to-foil, 1 touch & go

Wind Strength: 10-22 knots NE. (PM) Sunny, 50% cloud cover. (AM) 40% cloud, bright sunshine.

Take off speed: 13 knots at 80 degrees TWA (True Wind Angle)