Taihoro refit: Emirates Team New Zealand’s America’s Cup defender returns

“It’s a pretty important milestone in the campaign because today really reiterates how this America’s Cup is coming around a whole lot quicker this time without having to build a new boat.

Emirates Team New Zealand sail their AC75 Taihoro at Barcelona in 2024. Photo / Emirates Team New Zealand

“Now we move into a solid period of fitout and shed commissioning for Taihoro, and then she’ll be back out on the water here on our home waters in Auckland for general sailing commissioning and testing the upgrades.”

Beyond a fresh coat of paint, Taihoro has received two key upgrades:

The cockpit has been streamlined for the new five-person crew limit, optimising ergonomics for the sailors, who have to handle it at more than 50 knots.The addition of a dedicated Guest Racer Pod. For the first time, a few individuals will get a front-row seat to the action, tucked into a custom pod to experience the speed of AC75 racing.

Upcoming training sessions on the Hauraki Gulf will be about helping the team to gel and testing the mechanics of the boat as they prepare to defend the America’s Cup.

“Before we know it, we’re going to be sailing Taihoro in Auckland again, then into the Preliminary Regatta starting in Sardinia in May 2026, and then, we’re not actually far away from the actual America’s Cup in Naples in 2027.

“So, it’s all getting very real, very quickly,” Loxton said.