America’s Cup holders Emirates Team New Zealand have confirmed the core sailing team line up for their campaign to defend the America’s Cup for a second time.
The sailing squad is based around six key sailors including the 36th America’s Cup winning helmsman Peter Burling in the skipper’s role.
Racing alongside Burling will be ETNZ regulars Blair Tuke, Glenn Ashby, Andy Maloney, and Josh Junior, as well as newcomer Nathan Outteridge who joined the team several months ago.
According to a press release from the team, for the 37th America’s Cup campaign these six sailors will focus on boat performance and development, along with the all-important strategic decision making process.
The ETNZ sailing team lineup will be further bolstered when the powerhouse grinders or cyclors begin full time training to provide the power for the third generation of AC75s.
Emirates Team New Zealand COO Kevin Shoebridge has been instrumental in assembling what the team believes is one of the strongest line ups in the syndicate’s history.
“Clearly we are very happy to have the depth of talent that we have in the sailing team right now,” Shoebridge said. “The strength of our core sailing team is clear to see, there aren’t many things in sailing that haven’t been achieved by this group of guys collectively.
“After the finish of the last America’s Cup we had an extensive and robust review of the winning campaign and how we can become stronger. Ultimately, all aspects of the organisation must improve if we are to be successful again in AC37 and collectively improving our sailing team as a unit is an important aspect of this.”
According to the press release Emirates Team New Zealand is well underway in its detailed planning of the sailing schedule for the 37th America’s Cup, with a main point of focus being on the months of September and October when existing teams are permitted to commence sailing in line with the rules of the Protocol of the 37th America’s Cup.
Meanwhile, little is yet known about the sailing team lineups for the tranche of challenger teams.
The Challenger of Record Ineos Team UK’s sailor announcement has so far been limited to Ben Ainslie, Giles Scott and Neil Hunter, while Swiss outfit Alinghi have confirmed only Arnaud Psarofaghis and Bryan Mettraux.
NYYC American Magic are yet to confirm any sailors – although Paul Goodison is on the record as having re-signed for the American syndicate – and the Italian Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team is yet to share any sailor names.
