Nathan Outteridge gives a fascinating interview on the world's first AC40

It has been a massive team effort all over, and today the Emirates Team New Zealand sailors came ashore content that the one-design commissioning phase of the world’s first AC40 is pretty much done and dusted. After a transitional day where the wind meaned at 6 knots but puffed at 10 knots allowing for flight and “ripping” it was a good session under auto-pilot that saw the team head out to Takapuna to find the most stable air. Speaking afterwards, Nathan Outteridge, who has been steering for almost all of the commissioning phase, supported by Josh Junior and Andy Maloney on the wheels with Pete Burling and Blair Tuke trimming, gave a fascinating insight into sailing the boats and how the commissioning process has gone to date. 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