Can they be beaten?
Sailing Today|April 2021
Emirates Team New Zealand is lying in wait in the America’s Cup, due to take place from 6-15 March. We take a closer look at the team to beat
Can they be beaten?

While the challengers slug it out in the Prada Cup, tradition dictates that the Defender of the America’s Cup lies in wait and doesn’t show its colours until the Cup match itself.

This 36th edition of the Cup has been different, in that the Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand, organised two regattas before Christmas 2020 in Auckland, where all four teams took part.

This gave all Cup watchers a fascinating glimpse of each team’s and each boat’s relative performance – including that of the Defender. And as we know, the New Zealanders came out on top, winning the regatta. They were clearly the fastest on the water but their dominance overall wasn’t complete. They were threatened most by the Italian outfit, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli. That, however, was in December. Both the Italians and the British made huge leaps in performance in the period over Christmas and New Year, coming out with not entirely new boats but very different boats – masts, sails, foils and software were upgraded.

As we saw in January, the speed and performance difference for the British alone was startling.

So have the New Zealanders made the same kind of gains in this time, while they sit back and watch the rest of the teams fight it out for the right to challenge them for the Auld Mug?

Similarly big gains are unlikely in the latter stages of the Prada and America’s Cup, but at this level and at this stage even a 2% improvement in performance can count as a race winner – and a Cup winner.

Denne historien er fra April 2021-utgaven av Sailing Today.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra April 2021-utgaven av Sailing Today.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA SAILING TODAYSe alt
Dumbass In The Realm Of Dumas
Sailing Today

Dumbass In The Realm Of Dumas

Sam Jefferson treads in the footsteps of the Count of c as he makes a great escape to the Calanques of Provence

time-read
7 mins  |
July 2021
Paul Heiney
Sailing Today

Paul Heiney

The joy of needlecraft has been somewhat lost on Paul after an attempt to stitch together a rudimentary canvas cover ends in much bloodshed

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2021
Clarisse hopes to inspire others
Sailing Today

Clarisse hopes to inspire others

Vendée Globe sailor Clarisse Crémer has said she hopes to inspire other female sailors to follow in her wake.

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2021
Jeanneau what I mean?
Sailing Today

Jeanneau what I mean?

French manufacturer Jeanneau is back with an all new 60’ cruiser that offers a beguiling blend of comfort and performance

time-read
9 mins  |
July 2021
Pip Hare and Medallia going for next Vendée - with new boat
Sailing Today

Pip Hare and Medallia going for next Vendée - with new boat

The news that British Vendée Globe followers were hoping for was confirmed in May, with the announcement that Pip Hare and sponsor Medallia will continue their partnership for the next Vendée Globe in 2023/24.

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2021
Double-Handed Offshore Series blasts off
Sailing Today

Double-Handed Offshore Series blasts off

The new UK Double-Handed Offshore Series started on 1 May, organised by Henry Bomby with other double-handed sailing enthusiasts.

time-read
1 min  |
July 2021
John Goode 1950 - 2021
Sailing Today

John Goode 1950 - 2021

Tributes have poured in from across the marine industry after the former editor of Sailing Today, John Goode, died on 15 May, aged 71, following a short illness.

time-read
7 mins  |
July 2021
Andy Rice
Sailing Today

Andy Rice

Sailing is a capricious sport and the chance to go from hero to zero within the space of minutes is extremely high, as Andy found to his cost

time-read
4 mins  |
July 2021
Back to nature
Sailing Today

Back to nature

Author Tristan Gooley has made a name for himself as the Natural Navigator. He discusses his life long passion for sailing and how it has helped to shape his career path

time-read
5 mins  |
July 2021
A voyage of rediscovery
Sailing Today

A voyage of rediscovery

The Discovery 58 has long been recognized as a superlative blue water cruiser. Toby Heppell steps aboard the latest model to examine how it has developed

time-read
10 mins  |
July 2021