America’s Cup: A spot of recon on Emirates Team NZ

America’s Cup: A spot of recon on Emirates Team NZ – Video
by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com/nz 16 Dec 03:56 PST

Emirates Team NZ and Optimists – AC40 – Waitemata Harbour – December 15, 2025 © Richard Gladwell – Sail-World.com/nz

There’s no reconnaissance running in the America’s Cup until the AC75s are permitted to start sailing in a month.

Meanwhile several teams are sailing AC40s, with Emirates Team NZ going through their routines today, ahead of an approaching front driving a freshening NE breeze.

There was a flood tide, with the breeze, and the wave height is a good indication of the wind strength.

Sail-World dropped in on the session taking place off North Head, at the entrance to Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour.

The session lasted over two hours, sailing in a breeze that began in 18kts gusting 23kts, and slowly increased to 25kts gusting 30kts at the finish – according to wind readings from nearby Northern Leading beacon.

This session was primarily to test an iPhone based video setup.