Team New Zealand Unveils AC75 Taihoro for 37th America’s Cup

Team New Zealand Reveals AC75 Taihoro as They Gear Up for America’s Cup Defense

Team New Zealand made a splash as they unveiled their new AC75 sailing yacht, Taihoro, at Auckland’s Wynyard Wharf. The name, which means the dynamic essence of the sea and speed, captures the essence of what the New Zealanders will need as they defend the Auld Mug.

After years of development behind closed doors, Team New Zealand’s chief operating officer, Kevin Shoebridge, expressed excitement at finally revealing their boat to the world. With the boat now out in the open, the focus shifts to learning how to use it effectively and continuously improving its performance.

While Team New Zealand were not the first to launch their boat for the 37th America’s Cup, they were eager to see what their competitors, Alinghi and Luna Rossa, had come up with. Chief designer Dan Bernasconi noted the differences in design among the boats and highlighted the importance of these variations in performance.

The early completion of Taihoro allowed the sailors to test it on the water before it is shipped to Barcelona. Helmsman Peter Burling praised the boat’s innovative design and the risks taken in its development, building upon the learnings from their previous America’s Cup win.

With a reduced crew size of eight, including Australian helmsman Nathan Outteridge, Team New Zealand is adapting to the changes in boat control. Outteridge praised the advancements in technology on Taihoro and looks forward to further improvements as they prepare for the America’s Cup.

As the team prepares to race in August, the focus remains on continuous development and improvement. With the final foils yet to be revealed, Team New Zealand is eager to see how their boat performs against the competition on the water. Taihoro will spend a few weeks in New Zealand before heading to Barcelona for the upcoming regatta.