Please select your home edition
Edition
MarkSetBot

America's Cup- End of the sailing road for the first AC72

by Warren Douglas on 14 Dec 2012
Emirates Team New Zealand’s first AC72 is lifted out for the last time after finishing its thirty days of sailing. Chris Cameron/ETNZ http://www.chriscameron.co.nz

On Thursday the Emirates Team NZ shore crew began to decommission the yacht while the team concentrates on finishing Boat 2.

Winch drums and some hardware will be removed from the yacht and fitted to Boat 2.

Boat 1 will be refitted in the near future and held in reserve, to be commissioned quickly in the event it’s needed.

Components for the new boat are being built at Auckland companies Cookson Boats and Southern Spars. The second wing is being assembled now at the team’s Viaduct Harbour base. Hulls, beams and other parts of the platform will be delivered to the base early in January for a launch in early February.

Managing director Grant Dalton said the team was fortunate to be able to complete the sailing programme in good time, giving plenty of time to commission Boat 2.

'We never considered sailing both boats together because of the logistics and cost involved.

'It takes 35 people 90 minutes hours to launch the AC72. Three hours out of morning to launch two 72s and three hours at the other end of the day to retrieve them is out of the question.

'The only solution would to have two separate operations to launch, retrieve, maintain and improve two AC72s and that is not a realistic prospect for Emirates Team New Zealand.'

He said the team would gain many of the benefits by race training with another boat through the arrangement with Luna Rossa.

Allen Dynamic 40 FooterVetus-Maxwell 2021 v2 FOOTERSwitch One Design

Related Articles

36 umpire penalties shake Spain SailGP opener
As Australia settles for sixth going into the final day in Cadiz The BONDS Flying Roos battled through a tense opening day at the DP World Spain Sail Grand Prix in Andalucía-Cadiz, as a barrage of harsh penalties and punishing light-air conditions threatened to derail their push for a fourth Championship title.
Posted today at 6:40 pm
DP World Spain Sail Grand Prix Day 1
ROCKWOOL Racing light up Cádiz; leading the fleet after opening day ROCKWOOL Racing are in pole position after the first four fleet races of the DP World Spain Sail Grand Prix. Emirates GBR sit second on the event leaderboard - just one point behind ROCKWOOL Racing.
Posted today at 6:32 pm
52 Super Series goes from strength to strength
As 2026 season features two Lanzarote showcase regattas Looking to deliver fantastic high octane racing, inspirational images such as have underpinned the 2025 season's output whilst continuing to share a truly unique ambience ashore, the 52 SUPER SERIES will travel to Lanzarote for two mid-season regattas.
Posted today at 2:38 pm
Images from Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez - Day 3
Top photographer Eugenia Bakunova is shooting at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Top photographer Eugenia Bakunova is shooting at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, organised by the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez.
Posted today at 12:21 pm
The Yacht Sales Co Sail Paradise Regatta Day 1
Setting sail under picture-perfect Gold Coast skies Southport Yacht Club's flagship event, The Yacht Sales Co Sail Paradise 2025, officially set sail today under picture-perfect Gold Coast skies, marking the start of an action-packed long weekend of offshore racing.
Posted today at 5:04 am
V and Crazy Diamond continue to shine
On Day 4 of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Finally the breeze dared to enter double figures, the building southwesterly bending around the coast and across the Baie de Pampelonne for the penultimate day of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez.
Posted on 3 Oct
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Day 5
Sun, spray and suspense Yet more sunshine at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez today with the maritime air mass counterpointed by an E'ly breeze enabling the 19 categories competing in the Maxi, Modern and Tradition categories to dance to a new tune.
Posted on 3 Oct
Aussies take Spanish boat for a spin
All eyes on SailGP Season Grand Final With the $3M winner-takes-all Grand Final just weeks away, the BONDS Flying Roos have sent a clear warning to their rivals in Cadiz as they mastered a tricky light-air practice session from onboard the Spanish F50.
Posted on 3 Oct
SailGP descends upon Cádiz
For penultimate event of the 2025 Season The DP World Spain Sail Grand Prix kicks off tomorrow (October 4), with an action-packed weekend of racing expected in typically unpredictable conditions.
Posted on 3 Oct
2025 Formula Kite Worlds Quartu Sant'Elena day 4
Young & Lengwiler rise, Maeder falls Day four of the Formula Kite World Championships in Quartu Sant'Elena, Sardinia, saw a battle between the delicate sea breeze and the boisterous Mistral blowing from higher in the sky.
Posted on 3 Oct