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TV3 reporter Greg Pearson went for a ride on Emirates Team New Zealand’s AC72 and talks with Dean Barker and Grant Dalton. His report:
Emirates Team New Zealand is nearing the end of their first stage of AC72 sailing, with just six of the 30 days remaining with their first boat. But that doesn't mean things are slowing down.
They might be sailing the boat faster and steadier than anyone else, but there's still plenty for the team to learn about the AC 72.
“It's just one of those things," says skipper Dean Barker. "These boats are so new. Every day we go sailing we come back with more questions than answers. We might tick off one thing but other things spring up.”
But sometimes those answers make the hard work worthwhile.
“We discovered something yesterday," says managing director Grant Dalton. "We didn't know if we could or not and we could. We're going so much faster if we can develop that. So we'll never ever, ever go to the America's Cup thinking we've scratched the surface of these boats.”
VIDEO: The full TV3 interview is here.
Even though this is only day 24 on the water for the boat, it's reaching the end of its lifespan. The second boat is already under construction, and that's the boat the team hopes will win the America's Cup.
Not that it's something they are thinking about yet.
“It's never talked about, our chances or how we might go. It's just an energy to keep the programme on schedule as much as we can,” says Dalton.
And that means making the most of their six remaining days with this boat
This was also the second time that our AC72 encountered Luna Rossa on the water. The Italians joined us for some race training in the afternoon.
