Emirates Team New Zealand LEQ12 Day 19 Summary

A one-boat programme became a two-boat programme and pretty soon, Emirates Team New Zealand will be running a three-boat programme in their epic, no-stone-left-unturned quest to defend the America’s Cup in Barcelona in 2024. The team teased ‘Te Rehutai’, the Cup winning, all-conquering, speed machine AC75 of 2021 on social media in recent days and official notification was served through the formal process that must have been an eye-opener to every challenger trying to wrest the Auld Mug from the Kiwi clutches. Marius Van der Pol, a member of the ETNZ ‘Power Group’ that has recently been selected after extensive and exhaustive tests, offered an insight into the training day, saying: “Yeah the boys went flat out and I’m sure they’d be keen to get back onshore and into the debrief.” Van der Pol and his fellow crew are looking forward to getting sailing in ‘Te Rehutai’ saying: “It’ll be awesome stepping on board that boat and seeing the second life that she's had, and will be awesome to see the new boys as well getting a spin on that boat.” 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