IAIN JENSEN JOINS THE INNER CIRCLE: FROM OUTSIDER TO EMIRATES TEAM NEW ZEALAND WINGMAN
Since 2017, Emirates Team New Zealand has been the Defender of America’s Cup a powerhouse often viewed by competitors as a formidable, "closed shop." But for Olympic gold medallist Iain "Goobs" Jensen, the view has finally changed from the outside looking in to being right in the thick of the action.
Jensen, a veteran of multiple Cup campaigns, has officially joined the Kiwi defence, bringing a wealth of high-performance experience to the deck of the AC75, Taihoro. For Jensen, the transition into the team’s culture has been as impressive as the technology itself.
“You always kind of wonder what the culture is like over here and how the organization runs,” Jensen remarked during a recent break in training, “It’s really cool to see it firsthand. They’ve always been a bit of a closed shop, so you never really get an inside look if you’re not in the team.”
His initial impressions? Efficiency and a lack of ego.
“They’re just a lovely group of people who work really well together and get shit done quickly, which is great.”
One of the most compelling narratives of Jensen’s arrival is his reunion with long-time sailing partner Nathan Outteridge. The pair famously dominated the 49er class, claiming Olympic Gold in London 2012 and Silver in Rio 2016, and have shared the cockpit through various Cup cycles in San Francisco and Bermuda.
“I haven’t sailed with Nath for quite a while now,” Jensen said, reflecting on their history that stretches back to junior classes. “We did all the 49er stuff together... so quite a bit of sailing history there. I’m excited to get back into it with him and, it’s really, really good to be sailing with him again.”
While Jensen is no stranger to foiling behemoths, the latest generation of the AC75 is a different beast entirely. Having only recently stepped aboard Taihoro, Jensen is candid about the steep learning curve ahead.
“It’s been a long time since I was on an AC75, and I’d say they’ve definitely changed a bit since the last time,” he admitted. “I’ve only been out in the boat once, so I’m going to keep learning as I go. It’s really cool, and I’m really excited about getting some more time on the boat.”
The team is currently making the most of the Auckland autumn, pushing Taihoro through its paces in varying conditions. For Jensen and the entire team, every hour on the Hauraki Gulf is critical.
“We’re going out there today trying to get the South Easter,” Jensen said of the day's training plan. “The forecast is alright, but you never really know with the South Easter here. Hopefully, the breeze hangs in there and we get a good session.”
As Emirates Team New Zealand continues its preparations, the addition of Jensen adds a layer of proven chemistry and world-class skill to an already elite roster. For Goobs, the journey is just beginning, but the fit feels natural. "It’s been really good," he concluded. "Such a good group of people down here, and I’m really enjoying myself."
