America's Cup: De Nora breaks his silence on Emirates Team New Zealand
by Fabio Pozzo 10 Sep 15:52 BST
11 September 2019
Emirates Team New Zealand launch the world's first AC75, Auckland, September 6, © Richard Gladwell / Sail-World.com
Leading Italian America's Cup journalist Fabio Pozzo writes in Italian newspaper la Stampa:
The Team Principal of Emirates Team New Zealand breaks the silence. With the launch of Te Aihe, Matteo de Nora says "the Cup virus is back".
"Now that I have seen the boat, I got the America's Cup virus again", says Matteo de Nora, Emirates Team New Zealand Team Principal breaking the silence of several months.
Here's the slightly edited auto-translation of the interview:
The christening of Te Aihe - was like throwing a stone into a still pond. The Emirates Team New Zealand AC75 launch has put the America's Cup in motion. In the coming days, the other teams will have their boats and then we could say that the 36th America's Cup has really started.
De Nora, what do you think about the boat?
"She's amazing".
We have not seen you at launch.
"Grant Dalton (the Ceo of ETNZ) as a joke said that I don't like to fly. Now, having Emirates as the main sponsor ... there for many months. "
What were you saying about the America's Cup virus?
"At the half-past three in the morning, the team was already at the base to get ready for the launch. They were looking at me and saw the flame. The Cup virus was back"
You have been quiet and apparently "indifferent" in recent months
"Once the initial set up phase is over, a new phase starts in which the Team Principal can take a step back, it is not necessary to physically be on the front line. key and must be present. "
How the AC75 will look like?
"It is a very complex boat where physics is fundamental. The art of sailing, the hydrodynamics rules are not sufficient and other forces must be taken into account as they will allow the boat to sail as fast as possible. It's key to study the air "It was something new, even for us. A new era has started."
Have you seen the double mainsail, can you tell us something more?
"Yes, but not in the flesh".
Why the boat was launched without the sail?
"The boat was launched without the mast because of the forecasts predicted strong winds".
Are we going to see the mainsail when the boat will be sailing?
"Not immediately. We'll have some tow testing before, only after we'll hoist the double mainsail. "
You said this boat is complex, it's a new territory also for you. But you would have explored it very carefully before announcing the concept.
"Nowadays we are exploring completely new territories that we investigate only with the simulator. The designers are pushing for more time because every day allows them to push the boundaries to bit further. "The boat has its own boatyard," he said.
Regarding the launches, soon the other teams will go on the water. Luna Rossa postponed their launch a couple of times. What's your opinion?
"This is a question for them. My mind goes to the designers that always ask for more time. On top of this LR has built their boat at Persico, a very high tech facility where the specialists are in the land of plenty. Persico built the one design foils as well: they were late in delivering the arms, therefore it is possible that the boat was late. But mine are just assumptions. "
Regarding ETNZ are you already working on boat 2?
"Everyday"
How is it?
"Lets see what we learn from this one!"
For the rest of this story - click here