Emirates Team New Zealand's new AC75 race boat has emerged from its building facility after an intensive 10-month programme. The America's Cup boat was wheeled out to prepare for its launch and commissioning phase in Auckland this month.
The team's COO, Kevin Shoebridge, said that it was a significant moment for any team when their race boat emerged from the shed and saw the light of day. He added that these moments were the most revealing of any campaign, giving an indication of the team's design path.
The boat was transported from the North Shore build facility to the Wynyard Point base under the cover of darkness, where an intensive fit-out program was undertaken. Shoebridge said that the team had the day on the calendar for a long time, and it was critical to hit these important milestones.
Emirates Team New Zealand continues to commission and prepare the new AC75 for its naming ceremony next week Photo: Emirates Team New Zealand
The team is now preparing for the boat's naming ceremony next week. Shoebridge acknowledged the team's hard work, dedication, and commitment, but also noted that they still have a mountain to climb over the next seven months to defend the America's Cup in October successfully.
Despite the immense secrecy surrounding America's Cup campaigns, Shoebridge said that there comes a time when teams need to show some of their cards. While this boat's launch reveals only a portion of the team's designs, it indicates the team's design path and the boat's commissioning and the first sail will reveal more about the team's progress.
Meanwhile, the America’s Cup Barcelona 2024 will be launched in Ireland later this month by the Spanish Tourism Office with a special presentation in Dublin.
