32nd America's Cup Official Website - Kiwis take NZL 84 out for a sail

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Valencia - 12.04.2006

Kiwis take NZL 84 out for a sail

On Wednesday afternoon, Emirates Team New Zealand took their new boat, NZL 84, out for a sail on Valencia waters for the first time. The team had sailed NZL 82 earlier this week.

The Emirates crew have previously spent several weeks training and testing the new boat at home on the Hauraki Gulf this winter. After the New Zealand training sessions, the team was pleased with the new boat.

NZL 84, Valencia

“NZL 84, relative to NZL 81 and NZL 82, appears to be a pretty good boat,” confirmed Terry Hutchinson, tactician for Emirates Team New Zealand, before leaving the dock. “Knowing where we stood with the rest of the fleet it needed to be a much better boat. I think we’ve made some good steps and it’ll be interesting to see how it lines up against the others. The initial impression is pretty good.”

The team plans to sail the boat a lot this month, ahead of the Valencia Louis Vuitton Acts 10 & 11, which begin on 11 May. Hutchinson says while no final decision has been made, he expects to be racing NZL 84 in the Acts this year.

“I’d be surprised if we didn’t race it. Of all the teams right now we’re the most shy on time at the venue and learning all the conditions here. So I’d be hesitant not to put our best foot forward. But I might be speaking prematurely.”

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