Please select your home edition
Edition
Leaderboard June to September

America's Cup Rialto - July 27: American Magic has first sail on the Waitemata

by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com/NZ 27 Jul 2020 14:21 BST 27 July 2020
American Magic - Waitemata Habour - Auckland - America's Cup 36 - July 27, © Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com / nz

America's Cup Rialto is a new series for the 36th America's Cup, and will publish each day an Americas's Cup boat sails - with images of the day. Usually there will be a morning report (NZT) based on when the boats have passed North Head - when there is usually the best photo opportunity, but worst light angle.

The Rialto report will be an update late in the day, when the boats come back - this is much harder to predict - but gives the best shots. In between we watch the training session, and practice long range photography, from wherever is closest to that area.

The New York Yacht Club's America's Cup team, American Magic became the first Challenger to sail on the Waitemata Harbour, putting in an almost six hour session.

After leaving the dock at 10.40am, Defiant's crew had to cool their heels waiting for the breeze to build and were rewarded with an 8kt SE breeze - enough for Defiant to get foiling in the Waitemata Harbour.

Soon after rounding North Head, the blue hulled scow got foiling again, but had the misfortune to break a jib halyard requiring a time-out while the crew rigged a new halyard.

With that issue resolved, Defiant made a run down the Rangitoto Channel, past the Rangitoto lighthouse and headed out into the Hauraki Gulf, for a serious sailing session with a #1 headsail, before returning and setting a smaller #2 jib.

Other than the halyard issue, Defiant turned an impressive performance given that the team hadn't sailed for five months.

The AC75 looked to be very stable in flight, without any splashdowns in the light steady breeze. Defiant looked to get onto her foils quite easily, but struggled a little around North Head, throwing a lot of spray before getting airborne in what were recorded as 8-10kts from the Northern Leading weather station.

Skipper Terry Hutchinson gave his verdict on the day: We had a good day on the Waitemata. The wind gods shone on us, and we were able to get a full range of conditions. A necessary step and good to achieve the first day of training at the venue."

Sailing is possible on the next three days - with NE (onshore) winds in the 10-18kt range, freshening on Friday to 25kts and through the weekend.

Related Articles

America's Cup: Luna Rossa to sail for Naples club.
Italian Challenger Luna Rossa will contest the next America's Cup as the team of a Naples club. Italian Challenger Luna Rossa will contest its seventh America's Cup as the team of the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia of Naples, as club that is new to the America's Cup. Posted on 10 Jul
K-Challenge gives opinion on proposed Protocol
Why the 38th edition could usher in a new era for the America's Cup Stephan Kandler and Bruno Dubois, Co-CEOs of K-Challenge, jointly stated: “The provisional Protocol published on 23 May 2025 by Defender Emirates Team New Zealand is an important step forward for the America's Cup." Posted on 4 Jul
America's Cup - #3 Finish Line
The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. Step into the last leg. This is where legends break — or rise. Posted on 23 Jun
Burling "excited' by Italian move
In a media statement issued by his Media Team, Burling says he remains fully committed to his role w In a media statement issued by his Media Team, Burling says he remains fully committed to his role with Black Foils, the New Zealand SailGP Team. Posted on 20 Jun
America's Cup: Another sponsor signs for Italians
Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team and will accompany it as an official sponsor for the duration of the 38th America's Cup. Posted on 5 Jun
America's Cup enthusiastically received in Naples
The Castel dell'Ovo, was the venue for the arrival of the America's Cup in Napes The Castel dell'Ovo, set on the tuft peninsula of Megaride was the outstanding setting for the Official Host Venue Presentation of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup. Posted on 28 May
Italian PM welcomes America's Cup in Rome
Prime Minister Meloni set out a bold vision for the regeneration planned around AC38 The magnificent setting of the Casino del Bel Respiro, commissioned by Pope Innocent X in 1644, in the grounds of Villa Pamphilj, was the outstanding and historic setting for the formal presentation of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup. Posted on 26 May
America's Cup: Big changes in crew line-up
Women and Youth crews to sail in AC75 in the next Cup - Final Draft of AC38 Protocol Historic changes are proposed in the Final Draft of the Protocol released by the America's Cup Defender. For the first time a Female and Youth crew members will be part of the six-crew lineup on board the all-electric AC75s. Posted on 23 May
America's Cup: Emirates Team NZ respond
Emirates Team New Zealand has responded to the statements sent overnight (NZT) Emirates Team New Zealand has responded to the statements sent overnight by two Challenger teams calling for more transparency in the negotiations over the Protocol and venue for the 38th Match. Posted on 22 May
NYYC American Magic team statement
Concerns over transparency and cooperation necessary to secure a fair Protocol Over the past seven years, we've competed with pride, purpose, and perseverance in two editions of the America's Cup. It has been an honor to represent the New York Yacht Club and the United States on the global stage. Posted on 22 May