The moment the AC72 suffers any damage the Emirates Team New Zealand shore crew jump straight into action to prepare for repairs before the boat or parts have even hit the dock, and they don't stop working throughout the night until the boat is fully prepared for racing the next day.
Brad Butterworth and the bulk of the crew from the Alinghi America's Cup syndicate gathered around a television screen yesterday on Hamilton Island.
It was all go in race one of the Louis Vuitton finals. After a delayed start because of wind at the upper levels, the race was all but over when Luna Rossa had gear damage to their board system by the first mark. At mark 3 were some of the most dramatic pictures of the regatta yet. On the bear away the bows on the AC72 dug in and bought the boat almost to a standstill sending two of the crew overboard. The remaining crew held it together to take the first point of the series
In readiness for the start of the Louis Vuitton cup finals, the team are making last minute preparations across all areas. Rewind a few days and the guys from the sail loft took a road trip to pick up a new sail from the North Sails factory in Nevada to bring back and prepare to be ready for the start of racing this Saturday.
In episode 4, Learning to Fly, we examine how this stunning design can achieve such staggering speed potential, then tie in the expertise it will take to achieve it. By far the most unique and awe-inspiring feature of this boat is it's ability to "fly on foils." We'll have the team members explain how this works, and bring to life the dramatic effect and feeling it brings while "flying." courtesy RedBull.
The act of launching the AC72 is a precarious one. It takes up to 40 team members to launch the boat for sailing and put it away again at the end of the day. All direction of the whole process is lead by the lift master Lance Manson.
After the AC72 being in the shed for five days of modifications and touch up's it was back out on San Francisco bay today being put through its paces in some solid breeze in excess of 20 knots.
The first round of the 34th America's Cup challenge is over, with Team New Zealand earning all the plaudits.
Emirates Team New Zealand today announce they will advance directly to the Louis Vuitton Cup finals and let Luna Rossa and Artemis fight it out in the semi finals.
n episode 3, The Cutting Edge, the AC72 takes center stage as the ultimate hero of the 34th America's Cup. As a piece of engineering, it is the most highly advanced sailboat in racing, meeting the standards now of what would be possible 15-20 years forward. The AC72 should not be flying above the water at 50 mph, but that is what it's doing.
Emirates Team New Zealand had another strong win today over the Italians Luna Rossa which gave the team enough points already to qualify top of the Louis Vuitton round robin and have the right to go direct to the finals.
Emirates Team New Zealand have advanced to the final series of the Louis Vuitton Cup after another crushing victory over Luna Rossa this morning (NZT).
A decision whether a court injunction will stop the America's Cup, and Emirates Team New Zealand's promising march towards a showdown with holders Oracle.
New Zealand America's Cup boss Grant Dalton isn't sure whether Artemis will be ready for racing in the Louis Vuitton semifinals.
The weather gods seem to be playing their part as Emirates Team NZ gear up for their third on-the-water clash against Luna Rossa today.
Despite it being in the middle of the Louis Vuitton challenger series, Emirates Team New Zealand's AC72 was one of four boats out on San Francisco Bay today. It's just another vital day on the water testing and trying to get more speed out of the AC72 for the business end of the regatta.
It could have been complete farce. Luna Rossa raced against themselves yesterday - but should not have won.
Perhaps the major revelation from the weekend's racing in the America's Cup was the upwind speed of Emirates Team New Zealand.
Kiwi sailor Craig Monk believes if Team NZ had been able to keep their foiling programme under wraps for a month longer, the America's Cup would be theirs.
Emirates Team New Zealand edged closer to a Louis Vuitton final berth by completing their solo sail, another race against no one, today.
Race two for Emirates Team New Zealand in the Louis Vuitton cup and surprise surprise it was a lonely race track again. This didn't stop Dean Barker and the guys on the AC72 giving the crowds something cheer about from the race village. courtesy EmiratesTeamNewZealand.
While it's called the America's Cup, it's not an event that resonates with the everyday American sports fan, writes Dana Johannsen.
Team New Zealand management are being careful to keep the sailing team insulated from the "ruddergate" drama, writes Dana Johannsen.
The scene is set for a fascinating opening week of the America's Cup, where the limited action on the water will be secondary to the duelling in the jury room.
Luna Rossa's skipper has unleashed a stunning broadside at his rivals, describing their actions after the death of a British sailor as 'shameful'.
Like an out-of-control catamaran, the America's Cup continues to cartwheel towards ever-mounting disaster.
While the nation's love affair with the ultimate all-or-nothing contest ended a decade ago, 2013 offers the chance of reconciliation.
In the wilds of Milford Sound, where cellphone reception can be sketchy, it didn't take long for the news to reach Grant Dalton.
A solid third day on San Francisco Bay for the team today. The guys are learning more and more about sailing here everyday, but perhaps the best lesson of the day was learning a new high speed which the AC72 can fly at.