Please select your home edition
Edition
Pantaenius 2022 - SAIL & POWER 2 LEADERBOARD ROW

Cup Spy: Emirates Team NZ takes a high speed dive

by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World NZ 23 Jan 2023 03:05 UTC 23 January 2023
Emirates Team New Zealand's LEQ12 past the point of no-return in a nose-dive - Waitemata Harbour - January 23, 2023 © Richard Gladwell - Sail-World.com/nz

Emirates Team New Zealand did a high speed nosedive and capsize in their LEQ12 test boat on the inner Waitemata Harbour, early this afternoon.

The incident occurred in perfect sailing conditions, as the America's Cup champions did a bear-away, the fastest point of sailing around an inner harbour mark.

The cause is not clear, but will be revealed when a Recon File System interview is available from the flight controller, double America's Cup winner Blair Tuke.

The incident happened outside the Royal Akarana Yacht Club, Sail-World's New Zealand Editor, Richard Gladwell, shooting still images, and Justin Mitchell shooting video captured the whole incident. Both were standing side by side on the same location, using similar strength lenses (600mm) and about 1nm away from the incident.

A frame by frame analysis of the incident shows the LEQ12 rounding the yellow harbour marker, while flying high on the foils.

As the LEQ12 turns it goes bow down and flies even higher on the foils. The effect of both actions is for the rudder elevator to come clear of the water, and at that point the nosedive and capsize becomes inevitable.

The LEQ12 continued to turn as the bow became embedded and the LEQ12 broached, with the LEQ12 entering the incident on port tack and exiting on starboard tack.

The images and sequence of events throw some light on the catastrophic damage that occurred when the LEQ12 did an earlier nosedive in more extreme conditions off Waiheke Island in mid-November.

Since that incident the bow section of the AC40 was re-designed and strengthened.

The reassuring aspect of the latest incident is that there was no damage to the AC40 hull, and once righted - which took a few minutes - the crew changed to a #3 jib and continued with a couple more up and downwind runs, before sailing back to the team base.

No-one was injured in the incident. The LEQ12 was righted and after changing the jib from a J#1 to a J#3 the team continued with a couple more test runs before calling it a day.

It is the second nosedive involving the LEQ12.

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
Mackay Boats 728x90 BOTTOMArmstrong 728x90 - Wing FG Board Range - BOTTOMRS Sailing 2021 - FOOTER