emirates Team New Zealand has expanded its sailingโข crew by four as it resumes on-water training with its โฃAC40 in Auckland,marking a important step in preparations for the 2027 America’sโค Cup in Naples. This marks the first time the team has โคsailed โคthe AC40 in Auckland since competing in โขthe America’s Cup in Barcelona lastโค year.
The team joinsโ Luna Rossaโฃ and France’s K-Challenge in returning to sailing their AC40s, with training governed by specific regulationsโ set by the โฃAmerica’sโค Cup โฃevent authority. โขTeams are currently permitted toโ have two AC40s on the water for a maximumโข of 35 โขdays until July 1, 2025, followed by another 35 days of training before the Naples event. These limitations areโข in place to manage โadvancement โฃof โthe scaled-down vessels.
Restrictions also apply to โthe larger โขAC75 class boats, with teams limitedโ to 45 days of sailingโข between January 15, 2025, and January 14, 2027. These constraints aim to balance competitive development with cost control as teams gear up for the challenge in Naples.
The article was written by Christopherโ Reive, who joined the Herald sports team in 2017.
