As the Defenders of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup, Emirates Team New Zealand have staged an impressive campaign all round, absolutely determined to hold onto the trophy with a full team effort that has drawn on individual’s skills to create a powerful collective. Ask any of the top team members from the Challengers, privately, who they are most watching and it’s unanimously the Kiwis as they strive to set the barrier ever higher through ultimate team-work, design logic and sailing skill.

Never afraid to do something different, this is a team where everybody’s opinion and input counts in the search of boatspeed. If it doesn’t make the boat go faster, don’t say it. Heads down day-in and day-out, Emirates Team New Zealand are executing on a masterplan set from the top with a team culture that is of the very highest in international sports, regardless of discipline.

Within this team backdrop is a deep-rooted culture of continual improvement and there have been no signs of resting on laurels or past performance. Much of the on-water drive has come from a team of coaches and performance analysts, led from the front by Ray Davies, now into his seventh America’s Cup campaign across a variety of roles. As a legendary sailor (and winner) of the Whitbread Round the World Race and Volvo Ocean Race, Ray has competed in the Cup both in the afterguard as well as in shoreside and coaching roles so has a unique perspective that is highly regarded and respected. He’s a popular and ever-present member of the team, always seen out on the water, on the boats prepping sails, rigging and de-rigging whilst, crucially, setting the daily structure for the sailors to achieve their very best within.