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The New Zealand team is testing a foil they hope will help defend the America’s Cup.
With so much attention focused on the Prada Cup challengers series, the New Zealand team has been flying under the radar with their trials, though they emerged to grab some headlines about the American Magic overturn, as they jumped in to aid in the operation of rescue, delivered pizzas. , and then offered the use of his shipbuilders for massive repair work.
With strong winds hitting Auckland in recent days, sailing opportunities have been limited.
COR 36 | Borlenghi study
Te Rehutai of the New Zealand team is in a crucial phase of development ahead of the America’s Cup defense.
But the New Zealand team snuck in for a few hours Thursday morning to debut a new foil design and also put it in the water on Friday when conditions improved.
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Teams can build six foils and the Kiwis could have another trick up their sleeve as they work on a development program ahead of the America’s Cup match on March 6, where they will compete with the Prada Cup-winning challenger.
In a game where every move is monitored, the new foil at Te Rehutai has not gone unnoticed.
Luna Rossa participated in a sunrise training session on Thursday and picked up the New Zealand team’s foil progression.
RICKY WILSON
INEOS Team UK tactician Giles Scott and Luna Rossa’s Jimmy Spithill chat before the resumption of the Prada Cup round-robins.
Luna Rossa’s helmsman Jimmy Spithill said that Italian reconnaissance was ongoing with the defender, but that they had to be mindful of earning the right to face the Kiwis and that meant keeping the focus on winning the challenger series of the Prada Cup.
Luna Rossa is scheduled to sail against INEOS Team UK twice this weekend and needs to win both races to earn a direct entry into the Prada Cup final; otherwise, they will be forced into next week’s semi-final play-off against American Magic.
“Our boys are following them, watching them. They just threw a new foil, they look very, very sharp, “said Spithill of Team New Zealand.
“But, to be honest, we really have to focus on tomorrow. Yeah we’re keeping an eye on them, but man, 100 percent of the team is focused on tomorrow, going out and getting a win. “
Luna Rossa returned to training on Friday, alongside her weekend rivals INEOS Team UK. Neither team was disclosing the adjustments they had made to their boats after the first three days of head-to-head racing was completed last Sunday.
RICKY WILSON / THINGS
Francesco Bruni talks to Stuff before the conclusion of the Prada Cup challengers round robins
Emirates Team New Zealand has been ahead of its rivals in the foil department. It was a key area of their success at Bermuda 2017 when they reclaimed the Auld Mug, and won the December World Series warm-up race in Auckland using significantly smaller and faster foils than their challenging rivals.
The New Zealand team is in the difficult position of having to test and train for themselves while their rivals mix development with racing.
