Please select your home edition
Edition
Melges 15

Cup Spy: Emirates Team NZ takes a high speed dive

by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World NZ 23 Jan 2023 03:05 GMT 23 January 2023
Emirates Team New Zealand's LEQ12 past the point of no-return in a nose-dive - Waitemata Harbour - January 23, 2023 © Richard Gladwell - Sail-World.com/nz

Emirates Team New Zealand did a high speed nosedive and capsize in their LEQ12 test boat on the inner Waitemata Harbour, early this afternoon.

The incident occurred in perfect sailing conditions, as the America's Cup champions did a bear-away, the fastest point of sailing around an inner harbour mark.

The cause is not clear, but will be revealed when a Recon File System interview is available from the flight controller, double America's Cup winner Blair Tuke.

The incident happened outside the Royal Akarana Yacht Club, Sail-World's New Zealand Editor, Richard Gladwell, shooting still images, and Justin Mitchell shooting video captured the whole incident. Both were standing side by side on the same location, using similar strength lenses (600mm) and about 1nm away from the incident.

A frame by frame analysis of the incident shows the LEQ12 rounding the yellow harbour marker, while flying high on the foils.

As the LEQ12 turns it goes bow down and flies even higher on the foils. The effect of both actions is for the rudder elevator to come clear of the water, and at that point the nosedive and capsize becomes inevitable.

The LEQ12 continued to turn as the bow became embedded and the LEQ12 broached, with the LEQ12 entering the incident on port tack and exiting on starboard tack.

The images and sequence of events throw some light on the catastrophic damage that occurred when the LEQ12 did an earlier nosedive in more extreme conditions off Waiheke Island in mid-November.

Since that incident the bow section of the AC40 was re-designed and strengthened.

The reassuring aspect of the latest incident is that there was no damage to the AC40 hull, and once righted - which took a few minutes - the crew changed to a #3 jib and continued with a couple more up and downwind runs, before sailing back to the team base.

No-one was injured in the incident. The LEQ12 was righted and after changing the jib from a J#1 to a J#3 the team continued with a couple more test runs before calling it a day.

It is the second nosedive involving the LEQ12.

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