Team New Zealand say they're happy with the first day on the water for their America's Cup boat Te Rehutai.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Team New Zealand's second generation AC75 rolled out into public view at the team's base in Auckland's Viaduct on Thursday night revealing the boat they will use to defend the 36th America's Cup.
After more than nine months in design and development Team New Zealand finally got to put the simulations behind them and put the boat on the Hauraki Gulf.
Reflecting on the first day crew member Blair Tuke said: "After the official launch, it was pretty awesome to be able to get out there and throw the boat around in a beautiful southerly breeze on the Hauraki Gulf.
"It's great for the whole team to see it out there flying, doing its thing, after a heck of a lot of work from so many people to get to this point."
A successful first day marks a major turning point for the team, where building and development make way for testing and race preparation, but developments in all areas will continue right until the very last race.
Helmsman Peter Burling felt the day was a success. "It was great to get commissioning underway. The boat felt really nice. We're happy with day one, but have got a lot of hard work ahead."
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
As part of the early testing programme for Te Rehutai, the team ticked off everything as planned and completed a few manoeuvres on Course C on the way home.
With just 26 days to go until the warning signal of the first race of the PRADA ACWS Auckland, the plan is to get as many days on the water as possible, so locals should expect to see Te Rehutai become a familiar presence on the harbour.
The three America's Cup challengers - Luna Rossa, American Magic and Team UK - had already launched their latest designs last month and had been testing them on the Waitemata Harbour.
Team New Zealand are now in a race against time to get ready for the World Series regatta starting in four weeks.
This warm-up regatta will be the first and last chance for the defenders to test their boat head-to-head against the challengers, before they wait to find out who they will race for the Auld Mug.
The round robin Prada Cup challenger series, between the three international syndicates, starts on 15 January with the winner progressing to race Team New Zealand in the 36th America's Cup which starts on 6 March.