Cup Spy: Kiwis hit over 50kts in a bleak mid-winter's day
by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com/nz 11 Aug 22:29 PDT
Heading for home around 1400hrs - Emirates Team NZ - Day 20 - August 12 2026 - Auckland, NZ © Richard Gladwell - Sail-World.com/nz
Emirates Team New Zealand took on winter's worst on the Hauraki Gulf today in a four-hour sail, in winds that topped 35kts during rain squalls
Air temperatures were a surprisingly mild 15°C, but frequent rain squalls driven by the strong easterly (onshore) breeze. The bleak conditions were calculated to have a wind chill factor in the region of -3°C or slightly colder, in an AC75 sailing in that windstrength.
The team launched at 1000hrs on an overcast day after Auckland was lashed by fresh winds and periodic rain squalls overnight.
It was surprising to see that they risked their only AC75 and rig in these conditions. However, the team are on limited time this week before returning to Naples for the second preliminary Regatta beginning on September 24. Ahead of that event, many of the sailing squad are involved in the SailGP Germany event in 10 days on August 23-24.
In the past, the Kiwi team have never shied away from sailing, even a new AC75, in top-end conditions - and it was the same song, second verse today.
The team rigged in the lee of Rangitoto Island in winds that were being recorded at a relatively easy 14kts, but with occasional rain.
However, an hour later the wind shifted and increased to 20-25kts, gusting to 35kts in the outer Waitemata Harbour.
The Kiwi team headed off into the murk, stopping for a period where a discussion took place with the Chase boat. They then sailed out of sight and into their usual heavy air training ground of "The Paddock", off Auckland's Eastern Beach.
They returned to the lee of Rangitoto Island around 1330hrs, de-rigged and towed back to their base.
Speaking to team media after the sailing session, skipper Nathan Outteridge said Nathan Outteridge described it as a "pretty fun day".
"It's been a while since we've been out in some good breeze, and to be ripping around doing over 50 knots in the Back Paddock was a really cool day," he added.
As reported in our latest America's Cup Recon series the Kiwi team changed both their wingfoils ahead of this latest session.
"Every time it [the AC75] goes in the shed and gets some upgrades, it comes out an improved boat, which is fantastic to see."
"We always thought there was going to be just small gains here and there. The [design] team is doing a fantastic job to find some real metres on the table, which has been awesome.
"The boat's going faster, and it's getting easier for us to sail, which is really cool.
"Typically, we're normally out there on the lighter, more medium air stuff where I can throw the boat around a bit more.
"But to be able to throw it around today in some good top-end conditions was awesome," Outteridge enthused.
Winds are expected to ease for the rest of the week.
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