EMIRATES TEAM NEW ZEALAND BACK ON THE START LINE

It was the first of a series of practice races being run by the 36th America’s Cup race management as an opportunity to test the entire network of systems needed to successfully run and broadcast an AC36 race.

Emirates Team New Zealand was assigned a 30-minute period to practice 3 starts and each team had the ability to have another team practice their starts alongside them on the race course, then line up and train with each other for the remainder of the practice session.

American Magic, the Challenger from the New York Yacht Club lined up with Emirates Team New Zealand however there weren’t too many similarities between the starts in Bermuda and today, same kiwi team, starting against an American boat and that was about it.

The wind was in the upper regions 16-22 knots NW breeze, fully powered up the AC75’s, a spectacular sight flying off the upwind start line.

“It was really exciting to finally be allowed to line up with another AC75 after all this time,” said Helmsman Peter Burling.

“Although it is just practice racing and practice starts it certainly gets the intensity up a few notches for all the boys. The competitive nature ratchets up the importance of nailing every maneuverer with precision, picking your shifts and trying to get an edge.

And this is exactly what we need going into the ACWS and Christmas race next week.”

After a number of pre-starts with the American’s which could be described as ‘rusty’, Emirates Team New Zealand lined up the Challenger of Record Luna Rossa for the first time.

Both teams visibly eager to line up and get a gauge on one another.

Ray Davies was in the box seat orchestrating the racing operations between the Regatta Director Iain Murray and the other teams.

“So cool to see these boats line up, they are spectacular, the closing speeds are phenomenal, the close racing, we are going to see proper pre starts and proper racing and boat on boat situations, so all we could have hoped.” Concluded Ray Davies.

PRADA ACWS Auckland runs over 17-19th December, with the 20th December being the PRADA Christmas Race.