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The New Zealand team was understandably happy that their signature new America’s Cup ship made an impressive debut in Waitemata Harbor on Friday.
The Te Rehutai was rapidly foiling under sail on its first outing after being launched Thursday night.
It was towed from the team’s base at around 9.30am on Friday and got up on its foils while being towed during the planned test program to sail in the port of Waitematā.
The radically new boat then moved around North Head and after some initial problems, she was coming out of the water under her own sailing power and had a productive performance of six and a half hours.
DAVID BLANCO / THINGS
The New Zealand team’s new boat, Te Rehutai, is now ready for her debut in Auckland.
“It was great to start commissioning. The boat felt really good. We are happy with the first day but we have a lot of work ahead of us,” said Peter Burling after a long shift at the helm.
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“After the official launch last night, it was quite impressive to be able to go out and launch the boat in a beautiful southern breeze in the Hauraki Gulf,” said flight controller Blair Tuke.
“It’s great for the whole team to see him flying around, doing his thing, after a lot of work from so many people to get to this point.”
There were a large number of ships following the AC75 in the East Coast Bays area, including spies from rival syndicates American Magic, INEOS Team UK and Luna Rossa Prada Pirellia, all eager to see how the new Kiwi design worked.
DAVID BLANCO / THINGS
INEOS Team UK struggling to get up on their foils in the light breeze where the New Zealand team looked stunning.
Emirates Team New Zealand certainly had faster success in sailing than on the first attempt with their first Te Aihe boat.
The AC75s of the British and Italian challengers were also in nearby waters. Interestingly, in the light winds, the British had trouble donning the foil while Luna Rossa looked very comfortable.
But Friday was all about the defenders and the impressive debut seemed to validate the kiwis’ big design push.
HAMISH HOOPER / EMIRATES TEAM NZ
The New Zealand team’s new AC75 Te Rehutai has made an impressive entry into the America’s Cup fleet.
They quickly showed good speed and smooth sailing. They made tours and then stopped and support personnel got involved as the new ship’s systems were thoroughly checked.
As the breeze filled in during the afternoon, Te Rehutai reveled in the conditions.
“We have taken quite a big step, we have entered areas that other teams have not delved into … it is very, very different from a lot of the other teams … hopefully that will work out well for us,” said the controller of wing Glenn Ashby at the launch.
Ashby said the obvious design differences with the first ship, Te Aihe, centered on the hull and aerodynamics.
David White stuff.co.nz
Team NZ in foils for the first time sailing on the island of Rangitoto in their new boat Te Rehutai
They include a major overhaul of the deck, which has been lowered, and the deep crew cabin positions have been moved to the outer edges.
“It is a ship and it has to go through water, but it is also a flying machine.”
Te Rehutai is the last of the AC75s to enter the water and will line up against all three challengers in the pre-Christmas regatta beginning December 17.
DAVID BLANCO / THINGS
Luna Rossa showing good speed during practice on Friday.
Luna Rossa, American Magic and Team Ineos UK now sail their best racing boats in Auckland.
When asked how it could compare to the second boats of the three challengers who have already been sailing, flight controller Blair Tuke said: “I think everyone has their ups and downs, we are quite happy with where we are sitting here.
“It’s a big step from boat one.”
Abigail Dougherty / Stuff
Italian challenger Luna Rossa’s team closely watches New Zealand team’s Te Rehutai launch.
He felt that American Magic and INEOS Team UK “have come a long way” and pointed to the long hours that the Americans had already invested in the port of Waitematā.
The New Zealand team said it had a detailed test schedule to work with on the new boat, and while it only has weeks before the pre-Christmas regatta, it is free of racing commitments until the America’s Cup in March.
