Cup Spy Jan 17: Emirates Team NZ start summer testing program on Hauraki Gulf
by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World NZ 17 Jan 02:06 PST
17 January 2024
Setting up in Mechanics Bay - Emirates Team New Zealand - LEQ12 Prototype - Day 54 - January 17, 2024 - Auckland © Sam Thom/America's Cup
In contrast to the sometimes near zero temperatures being experienced by the teams sailing out of Barcelona, Emirates Team New Zealand started their summer testing program in 23°C and the warm easterly sea breeze, for which Auckland is renowned. Today was the first day testing their new wingfoil, which was revealed yesterday.
AC37 Joint Recon Team Report:
Emirates Team New Zealand - LEQ12 - Day 54 - January 17, 2024 - Auckland
Emirates Team New Zealand's AC40/LEQ12 docked out at 1210hrs, towed to Mechanics Bay [east of the Port of Auckland] to hoist the main. M2-3 and J3.
Wind was 11-12 knots from 082 degrees ENE, sea state flat to small 1 foot wind against tide chop. [ie they had an easterly sea breeze]
At 1235hrs they started sailing and tacked upwind to Browns Island [on the perimeter of America's Cup Courses D & E] where they stopped at 1253hrs.
There didn't look to be any noticeable sailing difference from tack to tack despite running different test wing foils. Upwind speeds varied between 20kts and 30kts on both tacks.
They continued sailing upwind [into the seabreeze] to The Noises chain of islands [north of Rakino], where the wind continued to drop as they went, 7-9 kts after Rakino and then 5-7 kts under The Noises Islands.
At 1340hrs the LEQ12 entered out into the Gulf, wind was 5-7kts with smooth seas and a long period 1m swell [the seabreeze has been up for several days]. At 1342hrs around 10 seconds after a gybe the boat crashed down into the water. Take a look at 6m:15sec in the Highlights video.
At 1358hrs they tried to get sailing again and could not get on the foil on either tack. [Presumably because of the light wind and J3 jib].
At 1405hrs the chase boat towed them on the foil. Wind built to 11-13 kts by Rangitoto lighthouse.
At 1458hrs the LEQ12 docked in.
Crew:
Peter Burling, Nathan Outteridge, Andy Maloney, Blair Tuke
Session Statistics: Emirates Team New Zealand - LEQ12 - Day 54 - January 17, 2024 - Auckland
Recon team chase boat track - Emirates Team New Zealand - LEQ12 Prototype - Day 54 - January 17, 2024 - Auckland - photo © Sam Thom/America's Cup
- Weather: 23 degreesC Clear skies
- Wind Strength: 5-14kts
- Wind Direction: 082 degrees
- Sea State: 0.2mtr chop; 1mtr swell in Gulf
- Distance sailed: 43.7nm
- Session duration: 162 mins (2hr 42m)
- Crane In: 1110hrs Dock Out: 1210hrs
- Dock In: 1458hrs Crane out: 1520hrs
- Total Tacks: 15 - Fully foiling: 15; Touch & Go: 0; Touch Down: 0
- Total Gybes: 15 - Fully foiling: 14; Touch & Go: 1; Touch Down: 0
Emirates Team New Zealand - LEQ12 - Day 54 - January 17, 2024 - Auckland
Crew:
Peter Burling, Nathan Outteridge, Andy Maloney, Blair Tuke
Session Statistics: Emirates Team New Zealand - LEQ12 - Day 54 - January 17, 2024 - Auckland
Recon team chase boat track - Emirates Team New Zealand - LEQ12 Prototype - Day 54 - January 17, 2024 - Auckland - photo © Sam Thom/America's Cup
- Weather: 23 degreesC Clear skies
- Wind Strength: 5-14kts
- Wind Direction: 082 degrees
- Sea State: 0.2mtr chop; 1mtr swell in Gulf
- Distance sailed: 43.7nm
- Session duration: 162 mins (2hr 42m)
- Crane In: 1110hrs Dock Out: 1210hrs
- Dock In: 1458hrs Crane out: 1520hrs
- Total Tacks: 15 - Fully foiling: 15; Touch & Go: 0; Touch Down: 0
- Total Gybes: 15 - Fully foiling: 14; Touch & Go: 1; Touch Down: 0
Additional Images:
This commentary was written and compiled from video, still images and statistical content extracted from the AC37 Joint Recon program and other material available to Sail-World NZ including photo files, and other on the water coverage from the 2010, 2013, 2017 and 2021 America's Cups. Its format is intended to give Sail-World readers a snapshot of all teams' progress on a given day or period.