Emirates Team New Zealand’s AC75 Taihoro has returned to its Wynyard Quarter base under the cover of darkness. The boat crossed Auckland Harbour Bridge in the early hours, completing a quiet move from the team’s North Shore build facility.
After months in the shed, Taihoro is back looking sleeker and sharper than ever. The refit marks a key milestone in the build-up to the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup in 2027. Team New Zealand credits the successful overhaul to its boatbuilders, describing them as the "unsung heroes" of the campaign.
Operating behind closed doors, the North Shore team logged thousands of hours on the refit.
“This wasn’t just maintenance—it was a full reconfiguration to meet the new Class Rule,” a team spokesperson confirmed.
As dawn broke, Taihoro was unveiled with a refreshed aesthetic. Familiar sponsor branding from Emirates, Omega, and Toyota remains prominent on the boat's livery.
At 4 am, Boat Captain Spencer Loxton and the shore crew received the 75-footer into its cradle. The team will now begin installing the AC75’s complex hydraulic and electronic systems.
“Taihoro looks great. She makes the AC40s look like a couple of dinghies in the shed now,” said Loxton. “This is a big milestone. The Cup is coming around quicker this time without building a new boat.”
Upgrades include a streamlined cockpit, redesigned for the reduced five-person crew rule. A new Guest Racer Pod has also been added, offering a select few a high-speed ride-along experience.
Upcoming training sessions on the Hauraki Gulf will test both the upgrades and the crew dynamics. “Soon we’ll be sailing here again,” Loxton added. “Then it’s Sardinia in May 2026 for the Preliminary Regatta, and not long after, the Cup in Naples in 2027.”
Taihoro’s return signals a sharp shift into the next campaign phase—fit-out, testing, and readiness to defend the Auld Mug.
