Emirates Team New Zelaand AC40-3 Day 3 Summary

It’s a huge week for Emirates Team New Zealand but an even bigger one for the very future of the America’s Cup as the Kiwis bring in the new, fresh talent that will define the event for decades to come. Today, with their LEQ12 parked in the shed after yesterday’s overly-dramatic corkscrew capsize, the team brough their one-design AC40-3 out to give Liv Mackay, Sam Meech, Leonard Takanashi and Marcus Hansen time both on the boat and on the helm in pretty epic 15-20 knot top-end conditions. Speaking afterwards, Liv Mackay, who is a key member of the New Zealand SailGP Team, gave possibly the stand-out interview of the recon programme so far, full of enthusiasm and gratitude for the opportunity, summing up the day saying: “It was awesome, it was my first time helming onboard the AC40, so it was an amazing day for me, and I’m so stoked to have been out there. There was plenty of breeze, there was 15-20 knots for the whole session, had a really good session out in the Back Paddock and Motuhei so yeah really good we had a few different crew rotations between Sam Meech, Marcus Hansen and Josh Junior, we swapped around a bit getting ready for some two-boat testing so hopefully it will be good fun.” 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