Emirates Team New Zealand has returned its AC75 Taihoro to the water on Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour, marking the start of its on-water campaign for the 38th America’s Cup. The sailing session was the boat’s first since the team won the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona 510 days ago.
Taihoro is now the first AC75 launched in the new America’s Cup cycle, signalling the start of a new development phase for the defending team. The yacht has undergone a full refit since returning from Spain. Modifications bring the boat into line with the updated AC75 class rule for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup and include new internal control systems.
The first day afloat focused on recommissioning procedures and technical checks.
After a tow to an offshore test area south of Waiheke Island, the team conducted load testing on the rigging and internal structures before sailing the boat through a full trim sequence to transition from displacement mode to foiling. Conditions on the Waitematā were brisk for an initial sail, with a north-easterly breeze of 12–16 knots. The wind allowed the crew to lift the boat onto its foils early in the session.
The AC75 Taihoro lifts clear of the water as Emirates Team New Zealand begins early testing for the 38th America’s Cup
Skipper Nathan Outteridge said the day marked an important milestone for the team. “Getting Taihoro back on the Waitematā is a proud moment for the entire team,” he said. “It takes an army to get an AC75 back on the water. To have a successful day of foiling and working through a long list of tests is a testament to the whole team. It’s the first step in a long and intense road toward defending the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup next year.”
Outteridge shared helming duties with Seb Menzies, while Blair Tuke, Iain Jensen and Josh Armit rotated through the flight control roles.
The session also marked a milestone for Olympic champion Jo Aleh, who sailed as the fifth crew member and became the first woman to sail aboard an AC75. Aleh said the experience highlighted the boat’s performance. “It is a very impressive boat, definitely different to the AC40,” she said. “Just the raw power and speeds we got up to straight away show how aggressive it will get. The training on the AC40 has been working well.”
Jo Aleh joins Emirates Team New Zealand aboard Taihoro, becoming the first woman to sail an AC75 during testing on the Waitematā
Data gathered during the test session will feed directly into the team’s design and simulation programmes as development intensifies ahead of the next America’s Cup defence.
