The awesome efficiency of Emirates Team New Zealand was thrust into the global spotlight today with the emergence of the fully repaired, and completely re-branded LEQ12 that suffered such significant bow damage back on the 21st November that had many commentators predicting that we wouldn’t see the team back on the water until the New Year.
It’s always wrong to second-guess the Kiwis, especially with such a super-efficient boat-building and shore team - not to forget the brilliance of the design team under Dan Bernasconi - who have burnt the midnight oil to not only repair the first LEQ12 but also to prepare Boat Two that has been delivered from McConaghy’s in China and fitted out in Auckland. The presumption is that the second boat will be left in AC40 One-Design mode for its commissioning period, so next week, or perhaps even over the weekend, we could see two-boat testing out in Auckland. And that hasn’t happened for a while as Kevin Shoebridge commented: “It has been 15 years since Emirates Team New Zealand has been running two boats at the same time. It goes all the way back to 2007 when we had two IACC boats.”

The new Emirates Team New Zealand livery has been applied to give the team that box-fresh, striking look with the modern teal logo down the hull and the full sponsor logos on the mainsail and jibs whilst up aloft, the new America’s Cup logo with the familiar ‘B’ for Barcelona was prominently displayed in an orange/gold colourway above the New Zealand flag. Very smart. Very striking. Very slick. The team have been more than busy as Pete Burling confirmed: “It actually only seems like a couple of days ago that we were last out sailing, so we all just slotted back into where we were up to with our program previously. Things never stop in this place and although we haven’t been on the water there has been a huge amount going on and a lot of progress being made. But it is great to be back out sailing again and our sailing program is only going to get more intense over the next few months.”

Helms Pete Burling and Nathan Outteridge plus the consistent test crew of Blair Tuke and Andy Maloney must have felt like all their Christmases had come at once as they took to a pitch-perfect Hauraki Gulf today after seemingly interminable rain has dogged the region for the past fortnight. Sunshine and approximately 50% cloud cover but a warm summer 24 degrees greeted the returning Kiwis who hit the training run as they had left off. As a “Hello America’s Cup world, we’re back” message, the Kiwis threw in 27 gybes, 25 at foil-to foil to record a 92% success rate, and 14 tacks with 12 foil-to-foil at an 85% success rate. No touchdowns, the only small drops through the manoeuvres were touch and go’s and mainly on the port LEQ12 anhedral foil. Chapeau all round.

A very good summary of the day was recorded by the on-water recon unit who were also delighted to be back out so soon and watching the boat in action: “Light day with flat sea conditions. Team did two, 8 mile plus tows with the breeze around the five-knot mark. The first was mainsail only, the second with the #1 Jib hoisted. About 25 min of sailing on the #1 as the breeze got over the 7-knot mark and stabilised from the NNW, before the #3 was bent on. Boat looks higher and faster on the LEQ12 foil upwind and also lower and faster downhill but all of the ‘average’ gybes were onto the LEQ12 foil. The #3 was dropped and adjustments were made at the tack and clew, and it was re hoisted. Amazing to see the team throwing the boat around at the end of the session, after less than three weeks to put a whole new front end on it.”

Underestimate Emirates Team New Zealand at your peril. They’re back in business, they’re back on the water and they’re a frighteningly efficient team when they have their backs to the wall. Impressive all round – and two boat testing is just moments away. Watch this space.

Dock out: 1300 Dock-in: 1630

Onboard Today

Helms: Nathan Outteridge, Pete Burling,

Crew: Blair Tuke, Andy Maloney

Sail Used:

M1 (OD) Mainsail: 3 hours 30 minutes

J1 (OD): 1 hour 40 minutes

J3 (OD) Jib: 1 hour 50 minutes

Recon Notes: Sails looked good across the range, no leach flutter observed. Mast looked to be at the max rake setting

Total Tacks: 14 – 12 foil-to-foil, 2 touch & go

Total Gybes: 27 – 25 foil-to-foil, 2 topuch & go

Wind Strength: 5-10 knots (PM) 50% cloud cover. 24 degrees

Sea State: Calm / slight

Take off speed: 13 knots at 80 degrees TWA (True Wind Angle)