Emirates Team NZ looking to achieve third successive defence of America's Cup
by Emirates Team New Zealand 11 Oct 17:42 NZDT
INEOS Britannia and Emirates Team NZ - Race 21 - Day 6 - Round Robin 2 - Louis Vuitton Cup - September 5, 2024 © Ricardo Pinto / America's Cup
What was once almost a mythical date on the horizon is now right in front of the team as they make final preparations to defend the America's Cup for the third successive team.
But with the British team INEOS Britannia as the formidable opponent — themselves seeking to make history as the first British team in 173 years to win the America's Cup back — one way or another, history will be made in Barcelona.
For Emirates Team New Zealand CEO Kevin Shoebridge, this is always an exciting time. The stage is set for a great contest.
"We finally got here, and it's the exciting part now that we've all been looking forward to. There's been a huge amount that's gone on in the last three years to get to this point. We feel like we're in a good place. We've worked ourselves into the position we wanted to be in and in a state of readiness, so we just need to go out there and hopefully get some great conditions, sail well and have a good regatta."
This, of course, doesn't take into account the substantial stress and tension that every team member must endure as Taihoro and the sailing team line up to race against INEOS Britannia in what will be a hard-fought series with plenty of ups and downs, resulting in frayed nerves and bitten fingernails.
"Yes, it can be stressful; there's no doubt about that. But I think we're in a good space, I feel as though we've done everything we could do," said Shoebridge.
"A lot of team members in different departments have their critical periods within the campaign where they're kind of the priority. But now, it's in the hands of the sailors. They get a huge amount of support from everyone in the team, and we'll be doing as much as we can to help them with that — but it's their time now."
"This is what we live for," said skipper Peter Burling.
"The pressure is immense, but for us, we just want to race. We've had a few weeks off racing, so we are really looking forward to getting out there."
It has been just over a month since Emirates Team New Zealand last raced on the final day of the Louis Vuitton Cup round robin. A long time to be sitting on the sidelines, watching INEOS Britannia get increasingly battle-hardened during some extremely tight racing across a range of conditions.
For Emirates Team New Zealand, the time has not been idle — they've been working on planned developments to step forward in a number of performance areas for Taihoro and for the sailing team to focus on nailing the critical moments and eliminating mistakes during the white-hot racing.
"We've been pushing right to the end," said Burling.
"The boat is in absolutely awesome shape. I'm looking forward to getting out there. Both teams will come out swinging, and it will definitely be some awesome action.
INEOS have obviously really proven themselves through the Challenger Series, so they're in great form, but we're looking forward to being up for the challenge we have ahead of us."
While it is the time for the sailing team to deliver on the water, Skipper Burling was keen to acknowledge the full team effort and culture of the wider team.
"Three and a half years of hard work from so many people within this team, and this is really the culmination of work from probably over 150 people across the design group, the boatbuilding group, the shore team, and everyone else involved in the wider team. Everyone plays a massive role in getting this boat into the shape it is, and the team in a state of readiness for racing."
They say the America's Cup is won and lost in the years before the race, and it just has to play out on the water. Whether true or not, we will see in the coming ten days ahead.
In the meantime, the rapid increase of Kiwi supporters into Barcelona continues with everyone looking forward to race Day 1 of the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup Match