Please select your home edition
Edition
Boatseekr_LeaderBoard_122 - TOP

America's Cup: Fascinating brinksmanship over the first week

by Duncan Johnstone/Stuff.co.nz 12 Sep 2019 12:26 NZST 12 September 2019
Emirates Team NZ launch the world's first AC75. The design was notable for the bustle around the centreline of the canoebody of the hull, the chines at the bow, and featured two different wings as is standard practice for testing © Richard Gladwell

Duncan Johnstone, Senior Sports Writer for major NZ mainstream website stuff.co.nz gives his take on the first week of AC75 launchings and developments leading into the 36th America's Cup

The race within the race for the America's Cup is well and truly under way and the brinkmanship over the first week has been fascinating.

As defenders and the team that dreamed up the radical new boat to be sailed at Auckland 2021, Emirates Team New Zealand new it was vital they be the first team to unveil the AC75.

They duly achieved that late last week when it was brazenly paraded a day ahead of its official launch. The Kiwis got two days of gasps going around the sailing world with the design and technical excellence clearly evident in "Te Aihe" as it has been named.

But the canny New York Yacht Club, the most experienced outfit in the long history of the America's Cup, knew there was a bigger way to make an impact.

Beaten to the punch in terms of showing off the design, they quickly realised the "money shot" was to be the first team to get the 75-foot monster under sail and up on its foils.

They did just that on Wednesday. Getting the boat really wet ahead of having some champagne splashed on its bow was the best way to thumb their nose at their rivals.

They even did it with veteran Kiwi Dean Barker on the wheel.

In a boxing analogy – and this is yachting's heavyweight contest – Team New Zealand took round one and the NYYC's American Magic took round two.

This fight will go the full 12 rounds and we haven't even seen yet what the other two real contenders, Italy's Luna Rossa and INEOS Team UK, will bring to the show. That's Jimmy Spithill and Sir Ben Ainslie, two friends and rivals never shy of the sly.

This really is big boys with big toys and there's no lack of noise.

As always with the Auld Mug, there's gamesmanship and psychology at play.

For the full story, plus links to related stories by Duncan Johnstone click here

To turn off the rolling video ads and audio, go to the bottom of the story on Stuff and click pause on the video box.

Related Articles

America's Cup: Confidential settlement reached
(Updated) A confidential settlement reached over five year Cup legal claims. Confidential settlement reached between the America's Cup team Emirates Team New Zealand and their formerly contracted Event Managers, Mayo & Calder, and others associated with the company. But what of Mainstream Media's role in the affair? Posted on 29 Jun
America's Cup - #3 Finish Line
The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. Step into the last leg. This is where legends break — or rise. Posted on 23 Jun
Cup Spy: "Burling Rule" unlikely to be changed
The Defender is unlikely to soften the Rules and allow open season on its sailing team. Despite the shift of three times America's Cup winner, Peter Burling it is understood that there is unlikely to be any softening of the Nationality rule to enable Burling to get any closer to the action than a chase-boat in the 38th America's Cup. Posted on 20 Jun
Burling "excited' by Italian move
In a media statement issued by his Media Team, Burling says he remains fully committed to his role w In a media statement issued by his Media Team, Burling says he remains fully committed to his role with Black Foils, the New Zealand SailGP Team. Posted on 20 Jun
America's Cup: Kiwis advertising for key people
Emirates Team NZ seeking new people for key roles ahead of its 12th America's Cup campaign Emirates Team New Zealand, the current America's Cup champion is gearing up for the 2027 Defence of the most prestigious trophy in sailing. The team has advertised eight positions in the IT, Meteorology and Engineering areas Posted on 12 Jun
America's Cup: Another sponsor signs for Italians
Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team and will accompany it as an official sponsor for the duration of the 38th America's Cup. Posted on 5 Jun
America's Cup fillibustered by Challengers
A Cup in turmoil - Protocol is unsigned - with entries due to open on Sunday. Updated story: America's Cup got underway in Rome on Monday, with Round 2 of the official welcoming ceremonies on Wednesday in Naples. However three teams are working in collusion and have again issued statements within minutes of each other. Posted on 29 May
America's Cup enthusiastically received in Naples
The Castel dell'Ovo, was the venue for the arrival of the America's Cup in Napes The Castel dell'Ovo, set on the tuft peninsula of Megaride was the outstanding setting for the Official Host Venue Presentation of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup. Posted on 28 May
Italian PM welcomes America's Cup in Rome
Prime Minister Meloni set out a bold vision for the regeneration planned around AC38 The magnificent setting of the Casino del Bel Respiro, commissioned by Pope Innocent X in 1644, in the grounds of Villa Pamphilj, was the outstanding and historic setting for the formal presentation of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup. Posted on 26 May
America's Cup: Big changes in crew line-up
Women and Youth crews to sail in AC75 in the next Cup - Final Draft of AC38 Protocol Historic changes are proposed in the Final Draft of the Protocol released by the America's Cup Defender. For the first time a Female and Youth crew members will be part of the six-crew lineup on board the all-electric AC75s. Posted on 23 May
Selden 2020 - FOOTERCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERPredictWind - GPS 728x90 BOTTOM