Emirates Team New Zealand wrapped up a two-week-long test block in Auckland for the winter on Saturday 15 August
The America’s Cup defenders completed 21 sailing days out of their 45-day quota and have put their AC75 ‘Taihoro’ away until October, when they will roll out in Spring conditions to complete more sailing days from the 2026 quota, which will then be refreshed in mid January 2027. They are expected to relocate the AC75 to Naples in late January 2027.
The final sessions included fitting and sailing with updated legacy foils and a new, smaller and very fore-and-aft raked rudder. Testing with the smaller M3 mainsail and J5 (smallest) jib they hit speeds in excess of 50 knots. Looking steady in flight and very controlled through manoeuvres.
The break from sailing the AC75, comes at a busy time for the sailing team, with the AC40 Second Preliminary event taking place in Naples 24 to 27 September 2026.
Also some ETNZ members – Chris Draper, Nathan Outteridge, Andy Maloney and Sam Meech – are involved in other SailGP teams, with circuit events in Sassnitz 22-23 August, Valencia 5-6 September, and Geneva 19-20 September.
There are then two final 2026 SailGP events, dependent on the Iran/USA war situation, in Dubai and the Grand Final in Abu Dhabi in November 2026.
Also in progress is the team’s 38th America’s Cup base in Bagnoli, just under 10km from the centre of Naples. The former industrial site that has been undergoing significant reformation and infrastructure development.
Seven team bases are due to be constructed, the GB1 base is already underway, as well as a Women’s and Youth America’s Cup training base, America’s Cup event infrastructure and eventually a large FanZone for the Cup.
Reconstruction of the 1750sqm Mar-Key boatshed, that the ETNZ team used in Barcelona, will commence in September and complete in December, ready to accommodate the team’s AC75 arrival in January 2027.
The Kiwi base includes a 593 sqm mezzanine sail loft, rig bay and room to house the numerous containerised workshops that will travel from New Zealand and are required by the shore team to maintain, develop and prepare Taihoro to be race ready.
It is expected that the construction of the 15m high and 35m by 50m structure will take approximately three months to complete assembly and services fit out.
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