WHAT’S IT REALLY LIKE IN THE GUEST RACER SEAT?

Each of the adapted AC75s for Naples in 2027 will have a Guest Racer pod, usually located on the left side (port) of the boat, towards the back directly behind the helm, giving an incredible 180-degree view at race pace. It’s not for the feint of heart. AC75s have been clocked at 55 knots when they accelerate around the turning marks, and easily hit speeds of 45 knots in just 15 knots of wind. For the lucky ones, it will be a ride-of-a-lifetime, and already down in Auckland, Emirates Team New Zealand have been offering rides whilst training. The feedback has been nothing but pure joy.

Christopher Reive, a reporter for the New Zealand Herald, was one of the first onboard, describing the experience as: “From the moment we start sailing, the communication on board begins. On an AC75, the team can only see out of whichever side they’re on because the sails block any view across the deck. Everything is discussed, from certain data points to preparing for tacks and gybes to any issues that might be present. It’s an eye-opening insight into exactly what it takes to sail these vessels, let alone at an elite level during a race.”

“The whoosh of the wind on my face indicates we’re quickly up to speed. Guests are provided three data points: boat speed, ride height and a map, and a glance down at the screen indicates we’re sailing about 35 knots – or 68km/h. And then we turn.”

“Like something out of Michael Bay’s Transformers films, there’s a loud, whirring groan as the foil arm lifts out of the water. They’re right next to the pods, so I get a close-up look at the appendage as it hovers above the water at the side of the boat. I was told I’d feel the G-Force through turns, and as I’m playfully thrown to the side of my cockpit, I can’t fight off the goofy grin trying to take over my face.”

And Christopher concluded: This...was unlike any experience I have had on the water. While there were a few bumps, this was a much smoother ride than I had anticipated for a vessel travelling on the ocean at such a speed – topping out above the 70km/h mark.”

Winter Olympian Anna Willcox-Lowe also got a ride after confessing that “I can’t say this was on my 2026 bingo card but when I got the call up over the weekend, there was no way I could turn this down.” Anna was foiling in perfect conditions and caught the whole thing on a hand-held camera, bringing the high-speed action to life amidst the spray on her goggles and the inevitable buffeting that the AC75 produces at pace.

 

David Blakey, Commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron was also on the water with Anna and gave a thrilling account saying: "Anna and I took turns on board, with Anna heading out first while I followed on a chase boat. We sailed between the East Coast Bays, Tiritiri Matangi and Rangitoto, running windward-leeward training courses as the team worked through manoeuvres and fine-tuned the J5 jib in a building breeze."

"From the chase boat, the speed alone was striking. Even with 800 horsepower and speeds of 35-42 knots, it was a bumpy ride that struggled to keep up. We had to anticipate every tack and gybe just to stay in range - an early hint of just how fast Taihoro really is."

 

"Stepping aboard was something else. You immediately appreciate the scale, sleek design and raw power of the boat. After being kitted out and guided into the guest cockpit behind port driver Seb Menzies, helmet on and comms connected (and a reminder of where the oxygen is just in case!), we were ready to go."

 

"Within moments, the boat accelerated and lifted onto the foils. The sensation is extraordinary -suddenly you’re flying, skimming above the water with a smoothness that feels worlds apart from the chase boat. You quickly lose any real sense of speed, despite hitting up to 44 knots. Looking across at Steinlager 2 and Lion NZ beating to windward highlighted the contrast beautifully."

 

"Tacks and gybes came thick and fast, each one precise and controlled. The boat felt completely 'on rails,' with constant communication between the crew, Ray Davies on the chase boat, and Jo Aleh providing feedback."

The author of this piece has experience too. Back in 2023 ahead of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup, I got a ride on Te Rehutai the 2021 Cup winning boat. It was sensational being sat behind the helm as we rocketed around under the lee of Rangitoto Island.

What you don’t appreciate is just how fast the AC75 eats up distances that for a normal vessel take so much longer. When flying it feels ethereal. It’s smooth and the only noises are the traveller and the mast rotation. The comms between the sailors are clipped and precise, and the trust that you have to give to the crews on the other side of the boat is complete. Vision is just 180-degrees as the deck-sweeping sails blanket out the rest of your vision, and in waves, it’s wet – bone-drenching wet with bullets of spray flying off the foils and the bow. The G-forces are extraordinary through the manoeuvres, and there’s a very good reason why the sailors wear helmets as you are so low in the pod for aerodynamics that your helmet hits the side-combing regularly.

Of everything I have ever sailed, nothing comes as close to what it’s like on an AC75. NOTHING. For those lucky enough to get a position onboard, in an actual race for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup, it’s the most thrilling, life-affirming, joyous, memorable, sensational sporting endeavour you can ever comprehend.

Magnus Wheatley