America’s Cup: New Zealand team sees new boat going ‘over 50 knots’ and the envy of the opposition

The key crew of the New Zealand team like what they have been delivered, believing that their new America’s Cup boat will reach speeds “well above” 50 knots.

Te Rehutai launched Thursday night and helmsman Peter Burling, wing controller Glenn Ashby and flight controller Blair Tuke feel they have something special for the defense of the Auld Mug with plenty of time to develop it for the match of the America’s Cup that begins. on March 6.

“We’ve taken a pretty big step, we’ve gone into areas that other teams haven’t delved into … it’s very, very different than a lot of the other teams … hopefully that will suit us,” Ashby said.

Discussing the combination of changes that have made great strides to the look of his first-generation AC75 Te Aihe, Ashby said the obvious differences centered on the hull and aerodynamics, including a major overhaul of the deck that has been lowered. and the deep cabin. the positions for the crew moved to the outer edges.

READ MORE:
* In pictures: New Zealand team launches new America’s Cup ship to Auckland Harbor
* America’s Cup: The New Zealand team used a clean sheet in a radical overhaul for a new boat
* America’s Cup: New Zealand team ace Peter Burling is eager to get his new toy in the water on Friday.

“It is a ship and it has crossed the water, but it is also a flying machine.”

When asked how fast it could fly, Ashby said, “Hopefully it goes over 50 knots.”

The 50 knot mark equates to 92.6 km / h, a speed that the New Zealand team has already surpassed while sailing in their original AC75 Te Aihe. They would have to sail at 54 knots to reach the magic mark of 100 km / h.

While top speed is the key to winning the America’s Cup, there will also be a requirement to excel at the lower end of the wind scale with Cup racing in airs as light as 6.5 knots. The New Zealand team feels they have covered with their new helmet shape too.

There was obvious pride in the Team New Zealand crew in what their designers and boat builders had given them, and Ashby wondered what their opponents were thinking.

“I’d love to be a fly on the wall at the other bases to hear their conversations about what they’ve seen come out of the shed here.”

While the proof will be in the performance of Te Rehutai, Tuke made it clear that he believes Kiwis have something unique to navigate.

When asked how it could compare to the second boats of the three challengers who have already been sailing, 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. “

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 Waitemata.

That was now the goal of the New Zealand team on their new boat as they look to be a force in the December warm-up race.

“You don’t have to look at the top too hard, you will see that it is quite different. It will take us a little bit [to adjust] but we have some experience sailing with these types of boats, so we should pick it up a little faster than our first boat. “

Burling felt they had pushed the boundaries with the new ship, given the additional time they had to work on its design.

“With boat one, you definitely felt that you were taking a lot of risks at times, but I was also quite conservative in some aspects, while with this boat everything has been optimized, everything has been thought about, and we ‘have had time to do that.” Burling said.

“It’s exciting now, we have a very good kit now.”