America's Cup Recon: Emirates Team NZ drones deployed as Kiwi testing continues - Day 15
by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World NZ 10 Jun 18:43 PDT
Taihoro - AC75 - Day 15 - America's Cup Recon - Emirates Team New Zealand June 10, 2026 © Sam Thom/America's Cup
Day 15 - Sailing: Emirates Team New Zealand enjoyed a fine but crisp winter's day, having a five-hour sail, with no apparent breakdowns.
Blair Tuke rejoined the sailing crew, being one of three sailors switching between fifth and sixth positions at the back of the AC75.
Seb Menzies was also back in the port-side co-helm seat on the AC75, for the first time since winning the World 49er championship.
According to the Recon Unit, ETNZ were making extensive use of drones.
They sailed some very aggressive turns, in the final phase of the day, in the Rangitoto Channel, practising pre-starts.
Luna Rossa became the second team to sail an AC75, launching off their base at Cagliari. A report will follow when the video and images are available. The Italians are understood to have had a long 10-hour day on the water.
Crew List:
- Port Helm: Seb Menzies (NZL)
- Starboard Helm: Nathan Outteridge (AUS/NZL)
- Port Trimmers: Iain Jensen (AUS)
- Starboard Trimmer: Andy Maloney (NZL)
- Positions 5 & 6: Jo Aleh (NZL), Blair Tuke (NZL), Josh Armit (NZL)
Wind & Sea Conditions:
Summary: Sunny weather - cool breeze.
AM Wind: 210°: 5-8kts
PM Wind: 210°: 9-12kts
AM Sea State: Flat
PM Sea State: Flat
Dock Out: 1056hrs
Dock In: 1600hrs
Time sailed: 5hrs
Recon Report – 10th June 2026
Key Points:
- Steady rotation of sailors Aleh, Tuke and Armit in 5th & 6th spot
- Extensive use of drones
- Aggressive manoeuvres.
After the strong southerly wind failed to ease as expected Tuesday, ETNZ instead rolled out of the shed Wednesday morning at an earlier than usual 0815. To make the most of the shorter winter days. Boat was in the water by 0847hrs With Aleh, Outteridge and Maloney on Starboard, Menzies and Jensen on Port conducting foil testing at 0919hrs. Boat was pushed off the dock at 1000hrs.
ETNZ towed out past Rangitoto Lighthouse, arriving at 1020hrs where they had some minor issues hoisting the main.
At 1057hrs they towed onto the foil with their M2-0 and J2-3. Sailors in their usual positions, with Aleh in position 5 and Tuke in 6.
It was a light and patchy 4-6 knot southerly, and ETNZ fell off the foil in a gybe close to Takapuna Beach.
They quickly towed back up and proceeded out of the harbour, downwind with minimal gybes to where the wind was a slightly steadier 5-8 knots. The drone was used extensively, following ETNZ above for long periods between gybes.
The boat remained reasonably steady while different sail trim and modes were explored. Sailors were often seen walking around the boat while sailing on the foil. Session 1 ended at 1136.
At the bottom end of Motutapu ETNZ then changed to a J2-2 -a different version of the same sail size- and towed onto the foil in 4-6 knots at 1153. It looks like ETNZ then deliberately oversheeted and stalled the main, causing them to foil off the foils at 1214. Once again, the drone was a steady presence above the boat. At 1220 ETNZ then stopped for lunch and a battery swap.
Session 3 started at 1240 in 5-7 knots. At 1305 ETNZ went through several practice starts with various VIPs.
At 1335hrs ETNZ changed to their J3-3 and attempted to sail onto the foils in 5-7 knots. After 5 minutes, ETNZ decided to instead tow onto the foils, and several minutes later, a decent 12-14 knot southerly set in. The session ended at 1358 in a slightly moderated 12 knots. A quick battery swap before Session 4 started at 1409.
At 1420hrs they stopped and changed both foil cameras on the starboard side.
Session 5 started at 1430hrs and consisted of repeated rounds of up and bearing away. Jo Aleh and Blair Tuke were seen swapping between positions 5 & 6 repeatedly, even while sailing on the foil. Session ended at 1457. Session 6 started at 1505 in 10 - 12 knots and consisted of even more aggressive bearaways and roundups. It ended at 1535.
Session 7 began at 1546 with Josh Armit in position 5. ETNZ slowly made their way up the harbour, conducting more exaggerated manoeuvres and a practice start. The day ended at 1606 with the sails being dropped next to the Port of Auckland.
Overall, a strong sailing day for ETNZ. Long periods of testing in flat waters and a cold southerly. Extensive use of the drone and several sessions of pushing the boat in manoeuvres.
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