Cup Spy April 29: Kiwis look to 'go wide' chasing the Barcelona seaway
by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World NZ 29 Apr 13:07 BST
28 April 2024
Emirates Team New Zealand- AC75 - Day 12 - April 29, 2024 - Auckland © Sam Thom / America's Cup
ETNZ rolled out a new mast for the new AC75 Taihoro. After the boat was stopped a person went up the rig to inspect the main track, and under closer view there looked to be some batten issues with the mainsail. Sailing stopped for the day.
What happened in the Cup - April 29, 2024:
- Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli - No report from the AC37 Joint Recon Team - assumed the Italians did not sail.
- INEOS Britannia - No report from the AC37 Joint Recon Team - assumed the Brits did not sail.
- Alinghi Red Bull Racing - No report from the AC37 Joint Recon Team - assumed the Swiss did not sail.
- Emirates Team New Zealand - The Kiwis did sail today dodging the occasional rain squall on what was otherwise a fine bright day. So far they have sailed their AC75 more times than the other teams combined. They are on the water on Tuesday in lighter conditions. Tuesday or Wednesday is expected to be their last sailing day in Auckland. They will resume sailing in Barcelona in early July.
- American Magic - No report from the AC37 Joint Recon Team - assumed the US team did not sail.
- Orient Express Racing Team - Their AC75 is the other yet to be revealed. It is to an Emirates Team NZ design.
AC37 Joint Recon Team Reports:
Emirates Team New Zealand - AC75 - Day 12 - April 29, 2024 - Auckland
Day 12 of sailing Taihoro AC75. ETNZ rolled out a new mast for this boat today and set into stepping it and going over the required dock checks before splashing the boat and then heading off the dock at 12:00hrs
Heading out into an Easterly breeze, the team hoisted sails near Orakei and went with M3 and J3 to start. Slower than normal hoist process; this seemed to be due to checking over the rig systems. Getting sorted and ready to start the sailing session, the team got a very quick tow onto the foils so they could be sure to clear North Head.
Starting at 12:42, sailing upwind towards Browns Island with the plan to head out off the back of The Noises; the team bore away and cut that plan short to avoid the incoming rain squall. Instead of sailing downwind and completing a few shorter laps within the inner harbor as the squall passed. With the cloud pushing past the sailing area, the team started upwind again, now sailing out past Motuihe Island. Now off the eastern side of Motutapu, the team sailed a few short laps here before heading into the lee of The Noises and stopped sailing at 13:27.
During this stoppage, the team completed some standard checks and made a jib change, dropping down to the J4. Starting sailing again at 13:48, the team took off downwind, completing minimal maneuvers and working on long sections in the now building sea state out in the gulf. Approximately 15 minutes later, the team came to a stop after sailing downwind.
This stop was controlled, and the team quickly brought the shore crew onboard, dropping the jib and looking to get the main down. As Recon caught up and got closer, we could see a person up the rig inspecting the main track, and under closer view looked to be some batten issues with the mainsail. The team spent some time working on getting the mains down and then towed into the dock from just east of Tiri. Ending the session early and returning to the dock.
Recon had an interview with Blair Tuke to review the day.
Crew - Sailing: Peter Burling, Nathan Outteridge, Blair Tuke, Andy Maloney
Crew - Power: Cam Webster, Louis Crosby, Louis Sinclair, Marius Van Der Pol, Simon Van Velthooven, Marcus Hansen, Dougal Allen, Sam Meech
From: AC37 Joint Recon Team - Sam Thom and Connor Mashlan
Emirates Team New Zealand - AC75 - Day 12 - April 29, 2024 - Auckland
- Weather: 16-18° rain squalls and clear skies
- Wind Strength: 12-15kts (gusts to 25kts in squalls)
- Wind Direction: 100°
- Sea State: 0.5 - 1.0mtrs
- Crane In: 1040hrs Dock Out: 1200hrs
- Dock In: 1535hrs Crane out: 1556hrs
- Total Tacks: 0
- Total Gybes: 0
Additional Images:
This commentary was written and compiled from video, still images and statistical content extracted from the AC37 Joint Recon program and other material available to Sail-World NZ, including photo files and other on the water coverage from the 2010, 2013, and 2017 and 2021 America's Cups. Its format is intended to give Sail-World readers a snapshot of all teams' progress on a given day or period.