America's Cup Rialto: September 24, 2020 - Teams caught by candid social media
by Richard Gladwell Sail-World NZ 30 Sep 10:43 BST
30 September 2020
Emirates Team NZ's AC75 Te Aihe races past a fast ferry on her final day on the Waitemata Harbour - January 2020 - Auckland © Richard Gladwell / Sail-World.com
America's Cup challengers have learned that it is very hard to fly under the social media radar in New Zealand.
Luna Rossa's Andrea Tesei posted on Instagram about conditions in their quarantine facility - the Sudima Hotel in Rotorua - including a shot of the dustpan of sweepings from the floor. The hotel countered that they had to move some normally permanent furniture to make way for some exercise equipment - without cleaning up the accumulated dust underneath. A screen shot of the post and accompanying image were grabbed by NZ Herald. The post was subsequently removed but the the social media beans had already been spilt.
To read the NZ Herald report click here
US challenger, American Magic, was caught on camera catching up to a Waiheke fast ferry from astern, giving the passengers an unexpected view of an AC75 at close quarters, before swinging away and completing the passing maneuver. The ferry skipper claimed he didn't know where the AC75 was and slowed as a precautionary measure. The matter was referred to the Auckland Harbourmaster who declined to take further action. It would seem that the fast ferry skippers are still getting used to being overtaken by yachts.
To read the NZ Herald report click here