America's Cup - Emirates Team NZ re-signs Toyota and foils in Solent

by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com NZL on 29 Jun 2015 Emirates Team New Zealand have had a significant week with the announcement of the re-signing of Toyota New Zealand which extends their support of the team for over 20 years.

Toyota are the third major sponsor to re-sign with the team, which is now on its ninth America's Cup campaign. Earlier naming rights sponsor, Emirates announced they were back with the team for the 35th America's Cup. Soon afterward they were joined by the prestigious Omega - a long time sponsor of the team going back to 1995.

By the time the America’s Cup gets underway in 2017 Toyota will have been sponsoring Emirates Team New Zealand for 25 years.

Looking to the future with an eye on the past, Grant Dalton continued, “Toyota has been a sponsor of this team for almost as long as some of our young sailors have been alive. It shows the strength of the relationship between our two brands.”

The team has also been sailing its version of the foiling AC45 (AC45-F) which is the one design AC45 the team will sail in the four race America's Cup World Series regatta to be staged at Portsmouth UK on July 23.

On the boat in the weekend during training sessions in the Solent, were Olympic 49er Silver medalists and current World Champions Peter Burling and Blair Tuke. Also on the crew were Ray Davies, riding in the shot-gun seat in these images released by the team. New crew members Harry Thurston and Guy Endean are visible. The team is believed to be trialing two other new crew members.

“It’s been a really fantastic few days sailing as a core unit with some huge talent,” said Burling in a written statement. 'There is plenty of progress being made, and some great ideas being thrown around. One thing is certain this first event in Portsmouth is going to be cool. We can’t wait, it’s been a long time coming.”