Emirates Team New Zealand AC40-3 Day 2 Summary

It has been coming for a while - and both American Magic and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli have got very, very close - but today the America’s Cup holders, Emirates Team New Zealand, gave a festive reminder as to why they are such a potent force in the Cup world that they dominate. A straight-out 100% record across 36 tacks and 33 gybes laid down the gauntlet to every other team – and just before the Christmas break. It’s the kind of numbers that have Team Directors and Performance Coaches awake at night. The nightmare before Christmas for some, for sure. Sailing the newest AC40 Te Kãkahi, the team were mixed up throughout the three-hour session with ILCA Bronze medallist from Rio 2016 Sam Meech coming back into the squad and Marcus Hansen, the Stand Up Paddleboarding champion and 49er tune-up partner for Pete Burling and Blair Tuke continuing his recent run with the team. Josh Junior and Andy Maloney – the two great friends and Finn rivals made up the rotation whilst Nathan Outteridge and Pete Burling helmed but also jumped into the crew positions at times. The mark of this team is everyone pulling together and learning each other’s roles to such a degree that everything becomes second nature, and, on this form, Emirates Team New Zealand are looking a mighty outfit – already. Section 41. Reconnaissance a) As a campaign cost reduction measure, COR/D has mutually agreed to cooperatively implement a centralised reconnaissance programme for all teams for the reconnaissance of all Competitors’ AC75 Yachts, AC40 Yachts and LEQ12 yachts including both on-land and on-water imagery (the “Joint Recon Programme”). b) Each team is assigned a two-person Recon Unit to follow their every on-water move, but it's not that simple. The cameras are supplied and identical for all Recon Units. Drones are not allowed, and they can't get that close, plus following a boat and keeping a camera steady at 45 knots isn't that easy to begin with. c) A three minute interview follows each on water day, and teams must answer the Recon Unit's questions while trying not to give too much away. It's a raw, unedited view of the never before seen behind-the-scenes development of a team and their boat to win the oldest trophy in international sports. #AC37Recon #AmericasCup #Barcelona2024