Sailing: New Zealand team principal Matteo de Nora defends AC75 boats, hints at surprising America’s Cup ahead

Team New Zealand Director Matteo de Nora has given his support to the AC75 boats that will be used during the 2021 America’s Cup.

Next year’s event will feature new monohulls for the four unions – champion Team New Zealand, Ineos Team UK, Italian Luna Rossa and American Magic – as opposed to the multihulls that were chosen in the last three editions of the cup.

The new highly technical foiling monohulls have been heavily criticized by some, including Ineos team manager and skipper Sir Ben Ainslie, upset at the high cost of racing.

However, de Nora thinks the boat is perfect for the event. “We want the Copa América to surprise us,” he told the Italian newspaper. The impression.

De Nora, Team New Zealand’s longtime Italian benefactor, says he has “absolutely” no regrets about the boat’s choice.

When comparing the boat’s construction to that of a Formula One vehicle, de Nora says technological advances have been key.

“The AC75s are very interesting boats, particularly innovative from a technical point of view and it is no coincidence that we are curious to see how they will perform in the water.

“I think the America’s Cup is and should be something special, the latest in technology, something that has not been seen yet. I think it should surprise every time and I hope it does.

“How many teams are there at the top? Three, four? And then I’m not convinced that [Challenger of Record] Luna Rossa wanted so many other challengers. “

Safety fears have also increased, with the New Zealand team and American Magic reporting rollovers during training in the water. On top of that, all unions have also experienced jumps and falls.

De Nora went out of her way to quell safety fears, saying that while the boats are fast, they are not unstable.

“Especially when compared to those used in the America’s Cup in the last 10 years,” he adds.

“As we have seen recently, the crews were able to straighten the AC75s after capsizing without problems and resumed navigation immediately afterward.”

The expensive ships have made it difficult for more than three rivals to enter. Ainslie wants there to be 10 teams to generate more competition. De Nora does not share that opinion, who believes that quality is more important than quantity.

“For us as a defense, it changes little, because in the final match we have to challenge one anyway,” adds de Nora.

The four unions have yet to reveal their second boats that will be used for the Auckland races. The first regatta comes in December with the World Series Christmas Cup.

Despite the ever-changing Covid-19 pandemic, the tournament is still on track to start on March 6.