Emirates Team New Zealand: World wind powered speed record holder on display in Auckland
by Emirates Team New Zealand 12 Apr 2023 20:48 AEST
12 April 2023
Glenn Ashby with `Horonuku` Emirates Team New Zealand's wind powered land speed World Record land yacht attempt at South Australia's Lake Gairdner © Emirates Team NZ / James Somerset
In December 2022, Emirates Team New Zealand broke the wind-powered land-speed world record in our revolutionary land yacht, Horonuku, piloted by Glenn Ashby.
Achieving the record that day is not even close to the full story that Glenn and the team went through in their difficult journey to complete this remarkable world record feat, all documented in the behind-the-scenes documentary 'Land of Speed' which screens on Wednesday 12th April at 8:30pm on Three and Threenow in New Zealand and 6:30PM AEST on Fox Sports in Australia.
The high-speed runs in Horonuku on South Australia's Lake Gairdner finally came within a fractional window of opportunity for the team after a frustrating few months of weather delays due to unprecedented rainfall at the Lake which effectively jeopardized the entire program.
"One thing that we have always understood and has been abundantly clear, is that no matter how prepared you are, you cannot achieve a result like this without an amazing team around you and a little help from Mother Nature," said Pilot Glenn Ashby
Come and see Horonuku for yourself.
Horonuku is now back in New Zealand and to commemorate this incredible feat, Toyota New Zealand are putting the World Record setting land yacht on a public event during the school holidays, and you're invited!
The craft named Horonuku by Ngati Whatua Orakei meaning, 'gliding swiftly across the land' will be located at Te Komititanga between Britomart Station and Commercial Bay in downtown Auckland.
Come down and see Horonuku up close, watch the 'Land of Speed' documentary [SW: It's outstanding!] and try a VR 360-degree experience that replicates sailing Horonuku and learn how the craft travels at over five times the speed of the wind powering it.
You'll also have the opportunity to meet Glenn Ashby and some of The Emirates Team New Zealand Land Speed members who made this possible. The team members will be onsite every day from 12.30 pm to 1 pm, and the Land of Speed documentary will play every hour on the hour.
Event Name - Toyota & Emirates Team New Zealand bring you Horonuku
Name of Venue - Te Komititanga
Dates - 19th April - 22nd April
Times - 10.00am - 6.00pm
Event Costs - Free