America's Cup: Mid-winter reflection for the Kiwis

Taihoro - AC75 - Day 15 - America's Cup Recon - Emirates Team New Zealand June 10, 2026 © Sam Thom/America's Cup

As New Zealand goes through the shortest day several of the America's Cup Defence team reflect on the progress so far, and what lies ahead. Plus, a look back at one of the first sessions, three months ago.

Emirates Team New Zealand are currently about a third of the way through their quota of 45 sailing days permitted under the 2024 America's Cup rules - a cost reduction measure. They get another 45-day quota in mid-January, which has to last them through to the start of America's Cup. The Italian team is the only one of the six Challengers to have sailed an AC75, clocking up just three days out of their quota of 49 days.

After their return from the first America's Cup Preliminary Regatta, in Cagliari, Sardinia, where they placed second to Italy's Luna Rossa, the Kiwi team was back into a winter testing block, taking advantage of a useful patch of winter weather.

"Good to get out in the middle of winter back here. There were some tough days, and a little bit shorter (it gets dark in Auckland at 5.30pm), but it was a really successful block," says coach Ray Davies.

He notes that the AC75 is a much different proposition from the one-design AC40s they raced in Sardinia. "There's so much going on with mechatronics, hydraulics, and electronics, bringing all of that together ... the development of the big boat's pretty exciting. There's a lot going on there, and it's hard to see where we're going to land with this, but it's pretty exciting what's going on. I can't really tell you much more than that."

While the AC75 hulls are being repurposed from the 2024 there have been many changes, which will make the AC75 easier to "pop" or self-launch lift onto their foils in light airs, and reduce the incidence of crashing off their foils in a soft patch of breeze.

The keys to that are lighter boats - all up weight has dropped by over 550kgs from Barcelona and a massive 1500kgs from the AC75s sailed in Auckland.

"The boats have got a bit lighter from last time round, so those light air performances will take another step forward again," explains Elise Beavis, a Performance Analyst who has been part of the Kiwi team for more than ten years.

"We'll be getting new foils, and we'll have to understand how to sail the boat a little bit differently with those. There's a lot of time in the simulator, also looking at different foil concepts, trade-offs between what foils will be better, in lighter winds, heavier wind waves, flat water, so there's still a lot of space to explore, and as we narrow down where we're going, how to do the best with that equipment."

Foil weight has dropped substantially, too.

"We can only do three new foils this campaign," says Ray Davies, "so we're working out our timing when we bring them online. It will be interesting to see all those come out over the next few months."

"There's a lot to play out in this America's Cup. It's not going to be straightforward, bringing it all together. Naples next year is going to be really exciting," he adds.