Explore NZ launches new America’s Cup Yacht in Auckland - NZL 68
by Melissa Prentice on 16 Feb 2011
NZL 68 sails on the Waitemata SW
Explore NZ has commissioned their new America’s Cup yacht NZL 68. She joins NZL 41 on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour where members of the public get the opportunity to take the helm, exert energy on the grinders or sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.
Last year approximately 12,000 people, mostly overseas tourists sailed aboard the Cup yachts for a two hour race.
NZL 68 was originally built by the German Illbruck Challenge under the banner of the Düsseldorf Yacht Club for the 2003 America’s Cup. Construction was halted due to lack of funds. The yacht was then loaned to Emirates Team New Zealand in 2004 where building was completed. Emirates Team New Zealand briefly used NZL 68 as a test boat on the Waitemata Harbour prior to their 2007 America’s Cup campaign in Valencia.
In order to provide an authentic experience only minor changes have made from its original racing condition to comply with the stringent Maritime New Zealand survey requirements.
Explore NZ’s Managing Director William Goodfellow states 'We are thrilled to have this yacht sailing around the Hauraki Gulf again, it’s a wonderful addition to our fleet. We are also looking forward to Emirates Team New Zealand’s America’s Cup winning yacht NZL 60 joining 68 on the water later this year.'
Both NZL 41 and NZL 68 offer the two popular excursions ‘Americas Cup Sailing Experience (2hrs)’ and America Cup Match Race (3hrs) and are available for private charters and group bookings.
Two America's Cup yachts, one from New Zealand, are now sailing on Sydney Harbour.
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