EMIRATES TEAM NEW ZEALAND
TE REHUTAI AND THE TESTS OF THE FIRST DAY
On a beautiful Auckland day with calm seas in Waitamata and a rising breeze, Te Rehutai left the pier and immediately began towing tests on the way to the Hauraki Gulf.
The launch was a fantastic opportunity to introduce Te Rehutai to the world and thank everyone involved in bringing her to this point, but for many on the team, watching her sail on her first day was the true moment of celebration.
Reflecting on the first day, Blair Tuke said: “After the official launch last night, it was amazing to be able to go out and launch the boat in a beautiful southern breeze on the Hauraki Gulf. It’s great that the whole team sees it fly off yours, after 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 construction and development give way to testing and race preparation, but developments in all areas will continue until the final race.
Peter Burling felt the day was a success. “It was great to start commissioning. The boat felt really good. We are happy with the first day, but we have a lot of work ahead of us.”
As part of the initial testing program for Te Rehutai, the team ticked everything as planned and completed some maneuvers on Course C on the way home.
With only 26 days left until the warning sign of the first PRADA ACWS Auckland race, the plan is to spend as many days on the water as possible, so locals should expect to see Te Rehutai become a familiar presence in the harbor. .
