Team New Zealand Begins Crunch Time with Launch of New AC75

Team New Zealand has officially entered crunch time as they prepare for the upcoming America’s Cup in Barcelona. The defenders of the prestigious sailing event launched their new AC75 on Friday afternoon, marking the start of a crucial phase in their campaign.

With the sailing in Spain set to begin in late August, Team New Zealand faces a tight timeline to test and develop their new boat before it is shipped to Barcelona. The six-week shipping time between Auckland and Barcelona means the team has only a few weeks to put their AC75 through its paces before the final regatta.

Team New Zealand’s chief operating officer, Kevin Shoebridge, emphasized the significance of this phase, stating that it signals the start of the final push towards the America’s Cup. The main sailing team will reunite onboard the new AC75 for the first time since retiring their previous boat last October, with the cyclors and other crew members undergoing specific training to prepare for the competition.

The team successfully tested their new AC75 on the water on Friday, with no issues reported during the quick test run. Team New Zealand is one of the first syndicates to reveal their new race boat, with other challengers set to unveil their AC75s in the coming weeks.

Helmsman Peter Burling expressed his excitement about the upcoming competition, noting that the team is focused on defending the America’s Cup with their new boat. With key dates for the America’s Cup on the horizon, Team New Zealand is gearing up for a challenging but thrilling campaign in Barcelona.