Team New Zealand
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Team New Zealand (TNZ) is an America's Cup sailing team which is based in Auckland and is representative of all of New Zealand. The team officially represents the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, and they have become a household name in their home country following their consecutive wins in the America's Cup in 1995 and 2000. In doing this, New Zealand became the first country outside the United States to successfully defend the America's Cup.
TNZ's success at America's Cup level has cemented New Zealand's enviable reputation for producing world-class sailors and boat designers/innovators.
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[edit] History
[edit] 1987: KZ7 "Plastic Fantastic"
New Zealand began its quest for the "Auld Mug" in 1987 at Fremantle, Australia. Backed by Sir Michael Fay, the Kiwi challenge advanced past the opening rounds, but ultimately was unsuccessful. Despite the lack of victory, the Kiwi challenge raised eyebrows because they pioneered the use of fibreglass on their boat KZ7. This was the beginning of a long line of proud innovations New Zealand teams would bring to the America's Cup in the years to come.
[edit] 1988: Big Boat Challenge
The following year, Fay again threw down the gauntlet, challenging American holder Dennis Conner. Fay worked with designer Bruce Farr and Tom Schnackenberg to build a gigantic monohull called KZ1 (or the Big Boat or Big Beauty). The boat was built by Steve Martin in Mt Wellington, Auckland and was launched on March 27, 1988.
Skippered by David Barnes with tactician Peter Lester, she was 23.47m along the waterline or 90ft, and was said to be the fastest monohull keelboat in the world at the time. However, Conner was smart and built a catamaran. Conner beat KZ1 easily in every race, although Fay tried and failed to outlaw Conner's catamaran in court.
KZ1 can still be seen in the Viaduct Harbour Basin, Auckland, New Zealand
[edit] 1992: Bowsprit Scandal
Fay challenged again in 1992 with the distinctively red "NZL 20". Team New Zealand was disqualified in the semi-finals after a controversy about a supposed advantage that their bowsprit gave them. Again, Fay went to court with no success.
[edit] 1995: Black Magic
In 1995 TNZ stunned the world, beating Team Dennis Conner 5-0 in a "Blackwash" off San Diego, California after winning the right to challenge in the Louis Vuitton Cup. The 1995 challenge had everything - the boat was fast (their winning yacht NZL 32 was nicknamed Black Magic), they had a smart crew led by skipper Russell Coutts, and they were ably led by Sir Peter Blake.
Both NZL 32 and NZL-38 were built under the supervision of Tim Gurr at the McMullen & Wing yard, Auckland, New Zealand and were launched in September 1993.
The winning yacht NZL 32 was shipped back to New Zealand, and is in the New Zealand National Maritime Museum in Auckland, as part of its collection.
[edit] 2000: "Still New Zealand's Cup"
TNZ (NZL 60) beat Italy's Prada Challenge (Luna Rossa) 5-0 in the 2000 match held on Auckland's Hauraki Gulf. On crossing the finish line in the final race, commentator Peter Montgomery exclaimed "The America's Cup is still New Zealand's Cup!!" - echoing the his comment at the end of the previous match "The America's Cup is now New Zealand's Cup!!!".
[edit] 2003: "Loyal"; Defeat
In 2003, Team New Zealand's eight-year reign ended after they were swamped 5-0 by Swiss-based challenger Alinghi. TNZ dubbed their campaign the "Loyal" campaign, featuring a Silver fern flag with the word "Loyal" and a song of the same name by New Zealand musician Dave Dobbyn. This was largely due to the Swiss boat featuring many of the afterguard members from TNZ's previous campaigns (notably Russell Coutts and Brad Butterworth) which, along with a fast boat and a lack of reliability aboard TNZ's NZL 82, contributed to the win.
[edit] 2007: Emirates Team New Zealand
In 2007, the re-branded Emirates Team New Zealand will sail the Louis Vuitton Cup and try to advance to take back the Auld Mug.
[edit] Valencia
In late 2003, TNZ announced their intention to challenge Alinghi at the 2007 Valencia America's Cup, with Emirates on board as title sponsor, and Grant Dalton as Team Boss. Dean Barker will skipper a more international team than before. TNZ are among the "big four" syndicates leading up to the 2007 Cup. The big four consists of TNZ, Alinghi, BMW Oracle Racing and Luna Rossa.
[edit] Yachts Used by Team New Zealand
NZL 32 "Black Magic"- 1995 Americas Cup Winner
NZL 38 "Black Magic II"- 1995 Louis Vuitton Cup Winner
NZL 57- Training Boat for 2000 Defence
NZL 60- 2000 Americas Cup Winner
NZL 68- Training Boat bought from illbruck Challenge (formerly GER 68)
NZL 81- Training Boat for 2003 Defence
NZL 82- Americas Cup 2003: defeated 5-0, Used for Louis Vuitton Acts: Won 2004 season
NZL 84- Boat for 2007: Launched in 2006. Won 2006 Louis Vuitton Season
NZL 92- Launched in October 2006
[edit] External Links
- Official Website of Emirates Team New Zealand
- Peter Lester NZ yachting commentator
