Emirates Team NZ Set to Compete Twice on Saturday with Repaired AC75 Raceboat
Emirates Team New Zealand is confident about being on the starting line with their repaired AC75, named ‘Taihoro,’ after completing an extensive repair process. This comes after an accidental drop of the AC75 following a race.
Thanks to several fortunate circumstances during the incident, the team only missed one race in the Louis Vuitton Cup and is set to race twice on Saturday. The AC75 fell from a height of six meters, impacting the forward support and causing damage, but it also hit the wingfoils designed to withstand forces much greater than the boat’s weight.
Fortunately, the on-board systems were still active during the incident, allowing design engineers to review data collected at the moment of impact. This data was compared against safety factors and loads, which revealed that, while the landing was tough, there was a degree of flexibility in the foil arms due to the automatic system’s response.
The forward section of the vessel was significantly damaged and required cutting out part of the hull, along with the laying up and installation of a new section. Additional unspecified damage was found at the rear of the AC75.
Team CEO Grant Dalton noted that if the boat had landed even 200 millimeters in a different direction and not fallen directly into its cradle, the situation could have been far more serious.
The AC75 is scheduled to compete in two races on Saturday. The first match will be against Orient Express (FRA), who obtained a design package from the New Zealand team, and the second match will be against Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI) in Match 12, concluding the day’s racing.
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Emily Carter, a seasoned sailor and marine journalist from Vancouver, has a deep-seated passion for the ocean that has shaped her career. With a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of British Columbia, Emily has become known for her captivating and detailed storytelling. Her work vividly portrays the excitement of sailing and the distinct maritime culture of Canada, earning her a respected place in the sailing community. When not writing, Emily enjoys navigating the rugged coastlines of British Columbia and participating in local regattas, always eager to embark on her next maritime adventure.