Emirates Team New Zealand back on the foils for AC75 Day 32 starts practice

The America's Cup Recon channel has released its highlights video from Day 32 of Emirates Team New Zealand's AC75 sailing, recorded on Saturday 31 October 2026 as part of the 38th America's Cup Joint Reconnaissance Programme.

It's worth a watch for a look at the team in the heavy-weather M3 and J5-0 configuration, flying in a fresh southerly and working through rolling pre-starts and practice races off Auckland's North Shore.

Emirates Team New Zealand were back on the water after a couple of days lost to a strong south-westerly, with a fresh southerly providing the conditions for a day of starts and race practice.

The team rolled out at 0840 on Saturday, with Nathan Outteridge, Seb Menzies, Iain Jensen, Andy Maloney, Josh Armit and Jo Aleh aboard. Following mast and rig checks, including a recorded measurement of 84.9 degrees, they pushed off at 1000 for a 20km tow down to the "Back Paddock".

Hoisting their heavy-weather M3 and J5-0, ETNZ towed onto the foils at 1053 and completed a short shakedown in 18–20+ knots of southerly breeze before moving into a series of rolling pre-starts and practice races. Port-entry starts remained a key focus, with most approaches coming in on the pin. The boat looked stable throughout the session, showing good movement in the fresh conditions.

Following a couple of practice races, shore crew replaced the jib track fairing using a spare from Chase One, before ETNZ completed a final session of runs up and down the Paddock.

Team hydraulic engineer Ethan Jones joined for the return towards North Head, with a sizeable splashdown shortly before the team wrapped up sailing at 1339.

Conditions: S 18–20+ kn | fresh southerly | heavy-weather M3 and J5-0 configuration

ETNZ AC75 Sailing Day 32

Reporter/Driver: Logan Sutherland Photo/Video: Sam Thom

Recon footage from the 38th America's Cup Joint Reconnaissance Programme.

Video: America's Cup Recon