America's Cup: Emirates Team NZ announces AC40 teams. New "speed" role for Blair Tuke.

by Emirates Team New Zealand 13 May 05:04 BST

Emirates Team New Zealand has confirmed the two crews that will spearhead the team’s campaign at the America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta in Sardinia, coming up on 21–24 May 2026.

In a move that highlights the depth of the New Zealand talent pool, the Defender will field two AC40s in an ultra-competitive eight-boat fleet, providing a critical platform for both senior race team sharpening race craft and the integration of the team’s Women and Youth programmes.

The first Emirates Team New Zealand entry features a powerhouse combination of experience and emerging talent. Helming duties will be shared by Skipper Nathan Outteridge and rising star Seb Menzies, supported by the precision trimming of Andy Maloney and Iain Jensen. This configuration blends the tactical maturity of the core AC75 afterguard with the raw speed of the next generation.

"Cagliari is going to be a real test of our combinations and communication in a fleet racing environment, and having two boats on the start line allows us to push our internal standards higher than ever," said Nathan Outteridge. "The AC40s reward consistency and quick decision-making in the heat of the moment. Our goal is to stay clean through the fleet races and ensure we are at least one of the two boats standing for the match race final on Sunday."

Further emphasising the team’s commitment to pathway development, the second entry, Emirates Team New Zealand Women & Youth, will see Erica Dawson and Jake Pye take the dual-helm positions. They will be joined by trimmers Serena Woodall and Josh Armit, forming a crew that has been showing impressive pace during training blocks on the Waitemata.

"To line up in an eight-boat fleet against the main America’s Cup teams is a massive opportunity for our development," said Erica Dawson. "We’ve put in the hours in the simulator and during our internal two-boat testing, but nothing replicates the pressure of a live start line in Sardinia. We aren’t just here to fill a spot on the grid; we are here to challenge the fleet and prove the strength of the New Zealand programme."

New role for Blair Tuke

Three-time America’s Cup winner Blair Tuke will not be sailing, as he continues to transition into a more executive and strategic role within Emirates Team New Zealand, heavily focused on the speed development of Taihoro and performance of the sailing team in the lead up to the America’s Cup Defence in Naples in 2027.

“When looking at the crew make-up we have in place for Cagliari, it is a very exciting time for the team, it is a powerful mix of experience and raw, youthful talent so to have two boats competing alongside each other for the first time will be really interesting for the teams development,” said Tuke.

“From a personal perspective, I am really excited by the challenge of transitioning into another phase of my career within a team I have had such success with. The team as a whole is under no illusions as to how tough a 4th straight defence will be, so playing my part and utilising my experience will hopefully continue to contribute to its ongoing success.”

The regatta promises high-octane action on the Gulf of Angels, with Emirates Team New Zealand’s two boats joined by dual entries from GB1 and Luna Rossa, alongside single-boat efforts from La Roche-Posay Racing Team and Tudor Team Alinghi.

The racing format is designed to test endurance and tactical versatility. Following official practice on Thursday, May 21, the fleet will dive into two days of intense competition, with three fleet races scheduled for both Friday and Saturday. The stakes rise on Sunday with two final fleet races to decide the standings, culminating in a winner-takes-all match race final between the top two teams to determine the Cagliari champion.

With eight AC40s hitting speeds in excess of 45 knots in a tight arena, the Preliminary Regatta Sardinia will serve as a vital measuring stick for all teams as the road to the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup intensifies.