\u201cThere\u2019s been a lot of effort to get me in and make sure I understand how these boats sail with the way Team New Zealand have got it set up and try to fast-track my learning,\u201d Jensen said. <\/p>\n
\u201cFrom the outside, you always look at this team and think they\u2019re very efficient with their time. When the opportunity came to join, I jumped at it. <\/p>\n
\u201cI know a lot of the guys in the sailing team and I know a few of the guys in the shore and design team as well. I\u2019m just excited to see what the next few months brings, and then the year-and-a-half after that.\u201d <\/p>\n
The 37-year-old, who was ruled out of the SailGP season opener in Perth due to a knee injury, is no stranger to the AC75 incarnation of the America\u2019s Cup, having been part of the British challenge in the last two editions of the regatta. <\/p>\n
Jensen brings another familiar face into the fold for Outteridge, who took over as skipper for the new campaign following Peter Burling\u2019s exit from the team. <\/p>\n
Outteridge and Jensen represented Australia together in the 49er class, beating Burling and new Team NZ teammate Blair Tuke for Olympic gold in London in 2012, before settling for silver behind the Kiwi duo in Rio de Janeiro four years later. The pair also won a number of world championships together. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re back into sailing this year and it\u2019s a pretty important time for us to just keep getting the hours on the water and training up all the sailors,\u201d Outteridge said. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a good buddy of mine, we did a lot of 49er sailing together and he\u2019s bringing a lot of expertise to the programme. I think we\u2019ve got a great mix within the sailing group.\u201d <\/p>\n
The addition comes as the team continues to build towards the first proper racing of the new campaign, with a preliminary regatta in Cagliari on the Italian island of Sardinia from May 21-24. <\/p>\n
For that regatta, which will be contested on the AC40 scaled-down vessels, all teams are allowed to enter two boats with one to be crewed by sailors from the respective teams\u2019 women\u2019s and youth programmes. <\/p>\n
Confirmed Emirates Team New Zealand sailing team<\/p>\n
Nathan Outteridge (skipper), Blair Tuke, Andy Maloney, Sam Meech, Jo Aleh, Chris Draper (GBR), Iain Jensen (AUS), Jake Pye, Seb Menzies, and Josh Armit. <\/p>\n