GETTING TAIHORO READY TO SAIL: BOAT CAPTAIN SPENCER LOXTON TAKES US INSIDE THE SHORE CREW’S DAILY ROUTINE
While the recon team watches every tack, gybe and manoeuvre as Emirates Team New Zealand’s AC75 Taihoro flies across the Hauraki Gulf relentlessly testing and developing for hours each sailing day, the productivity of those flight hours begins long before the sun hits the water. At the heart of the shore based operation and preparedness each day is the talented Emirates Team New Zealand Shore Crew including ‘Boat Captain’ Spencer Loxton, whose mission is simple but Herculean: ensure Taihoro is in optimal condition for every second of on-water operations.
For Loxton, the role is a blend of high-stakes engineering, logistical choreography, and a deep sense of pride in the "end game."
The day begins early at the base with a disciplined routine. As the sun rises, the shed transforms into a hive of activity. Loxton oversees the entire preparation process, from the initial shed checks, to roll out, crane in and to the moment the boat hits the water for dock checks before the lines are cast and Taihoro leaves the dock.
"It’s a pretty normal start time in the morning," says Loxton. "Everyone’s into checks and preparing the boat to roll out. Whether they are preparing the chase boat loaded up, or sail makers getting their sails down from the loft and onto the chase boat, rig step and launching. It is about making sure all the processes are followed."
Precision is the baseline. Loxton’s eye is on every detail, ensuring the AC75 is in the "right state" to leave the shed and the dock. But even in a high-pressure environment, the camaraderie of the Shore Crew remains intact.
Work doesn't stop when Taihoro is on the water. Fixes, re-checks, and support is provided at every moment during training sessions.
Once Taihoro is on the water, the Shore Crew’s job is far from over. The transition from the dock to full-flight sailing is a collaborative effort that bridges the gap between the shore team and the five sailors on board.
Beyond the heavy lifting of the massive sails, Loxton and his technical team spanning critical departments remain on standby on the chase boats, ready to perform surgical repairs or technical checks in real-time to keep the session alive and the development progressing.
The hours are long and the physical demands are high, but for Loxton, the reward comes from the progress of the boat and the feedback of the crew.
The symbiosis between sailing team, shore crew, and design team is vital in a successful campaign.
"Sometimes you can be like, ‘oh, this is a long day,’ but the end game is good," Loxton explains. "Everyone enjoys that, whether they are, hopefully, winning the Cup, or even if it's just little milestones throughout the year, like being able to achieve five days of sailing as opposed to three, or making something new for the boat, which is cool."
That satisfaction is amplified when the sailing team returns to the dock satisfied with the progress each day, “When the sailors come in and they’re like, ‘oh, we had a great sail,’ for everyone in the Shore Crew, they're probably like, ‘oh, that was worth it.’" said Loxton.
While Loxton leads the maintenance of Taihoro, he is quick to point out that the Boat Captain is only one piece of a much larger puzzle. The Emirates Team New Zealand squad relies on every single person from the technicians to the support staff.
It takes a "village": The whole team of Emirates Team New Zealand works like a well-oiled machine.
"There's a lot of moving parts, a lot of people: From the guys in the kitchen making us lunch, which is pretty important, to people running around town getting nuts and bolts and any parts required."
And should the sailing team ever find themselves short a man? Loxton is ready to trade his tools for a steering wheel or a grinder.
"If the sailors go down, I'm ready," he says.
Spencer is always ready.
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