Please select your home edition
Edition
Sydney Boat Show 2025 - Apply to Exhibit

America's Cup Rialto: August 30 - Te Aihe makes a slingshot exit from the Waitemata

by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com/NZ 1 Sep 2020 19:03 AEST 1 September 2020
Emirates Team New Zealand - Waitemata Harbour - August 30, 2020 - 36th America's Cup © Richard Gladwell / Sail-World.com

Emirates Team New Zealand were the only team on the Waitemata on Monday, putting in a two hour session on Course C - which is expected to the predominant course used for the Prada Cup and the America's Cup.

The session consisted of a few speed runs, along with some mark roundings - with the breeze up and down in strength - as is typical for this course given its surrounding topology. Four volcanic cones surround the course, with the inner Waitemata Harbour acting as a funnel when the breeze is in a westerly direction. The real time readings from Predictwind showed fluctuations of 30 degrees of more, on the weather station on the Northern Leading harbour marker - about 1.5nm east of North Head.

The session was shorter that we are used to seeing from Emirates Team New Zealand, but passed without incident. There were only a couple of significant breaks - which looked to be more a time out for a chat with coaches and engineering team. From what we could see there were no timeouts for adjustments/repairs.

Te Aihe sailed the session with what appeared to be a #2 jib - which seemed to be about the right choice given the range of the wind strength.

The session was punctuated with localised rain squalls, which could be seen around the edges of the course. Te Aihe got on the front edge of one as she came out of the harbour for the last time, with the breeze going from 8kts to 20kts.

Te Aihe literally rocketed out of the harbour, with Peter Burling driving the AC75, pedal to the metal, like he had just robbed a Bank.

We could hear the usual warning sound of an approaching AC75 - not the high singing noise of the foils as happened on the AC50's - but the revving of banks of four 400hp Mercury outboards, on the two ETNZ chaseboats. They sound like a jet gunning its engines for takeoff - just the right sound effect.

The AC75 made a spectacular sight under full power - flying straight and level and without any control issues. It was a surreal sight, given that we couldn't see around the corner into the harbour where she started her run - and expected to see Te Aihe coming back at a sedate 25-30 knots. Instead she emerged like projectile emitted from a slingshot.

Having heard the "warning signal" from the chase boat and recon fleet, the camera was set up and ready with the focus length just right. Unbelievably she seemed to gather speed as she moved down the harbour with the wind from dead astern, and extreme apparent wind angle causing the sails to be sheeted hard into the centreline.

Neither team was on the harbour today, Tuesday, due to fresh winds. American Magic's race boat will arrive by Antonov later this week, the other challengers are expected to deliver theirs later this month.

Related Articles

America's Cup: Luna Rossa to sail for Naples club.
Italian Challenger Luna Rossa will contest the next America's Cup as the team of a Naples club. Italian Challenger Luna Rossa will contest its seventh America's Cup as the team of the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia of Naples, as club that is new to the America's Cup. Posted on 10 Jul
America's Cup: French back "Kiwi" Protocol
K-Challenge tell Brits to sign Kiwi Protocol. Cup to be sailed before the end of 2025. Last weekend's missive from the French America's Cup challenge team is further evidence over the building frustration with progress towards the 2027 America's Cup in Naples. Posted on 6 Jul
K-Challenge gives opinion on proposed Protocol
Why the 38th edition could usher in a new era for the America's Cup Stephan Kandler and Bruno Dubois, Co-CEOs of K-Challenge, jointly stated: “The provisional Protocol published on 23 May 2025 by Defender Emirates Team New Zealand is an important step forward for the America's Cup." Posted on 4 Jul
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
Maritimo S SeriesNavico AUS Zeus3S FOOTERRolly Tasker Sails 2023 FOOTER