Even the big kids do it.
Peter Burling lost overboard as 'hairy moments' highlight Team New Zealand testing
Team New Zealand skipper Glenn Ashby admits to "plenty of hairy moments" - even losing helmsman Peter Burling overboard - as they push their new America's Cup catamaran to the limit.The Kiwi syndicate are in the final phase of testing in Auckland before transferring to Bermuda ahead of the opening races on May 27 (NZ time).
Ashby was reluctant to talk specifics but suggested the strongest wind they had sailed in was "a bit over 25 knots, and that's plenty". In terms of boat speed they had reached "mid-to high 40s (knots) and that's ticking along".He said they were similar in that respect to the 72-footers used at the last campaign in 2013. But the differences with these smaller, more powerful versions came to force in lighter winds.
"These boats are incredible. The performance you can do in light airs is the amazing thing. In 7-9 knots of breeze, you are doing over 30 knots at times," Ashby said, adding that was twice the performance of the old 72s in similar winds.
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