Recent developments in the build-up to the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup reveal that Emirates Team New Zealand is taking decisive steps toward defending its crown in Naples, Italy, in July 2027. This article examines the squad’s personnel changes, training routines, and strategic direction as the Defender moves into a critical phase of preparation.
The Cup, the oldest international sporting trophy, continues to evolve structurally and competitively. Meanwhile, Team New Zealand’s activities over the past few days have made clear the project’s deepening focus on human resources and performance metrics.
New Talent Integration: Iain Jensen Joins the Kiwis
One of the biggest news items in recent days is the arrival of Iain “Goobs” Jensen to Emirates Team New Zealand. This highly experienced sailor, best known for his success in Olympic 49er class racing and as a distinguished competitor on the global sailing circuit, recognized an opportunity and decided to align with the Kiwis ahead of the Naples campaign.
Importantly, Jensen brings a breadth of tactical experience from multiple elite platforms, including SailGP and other top-tier sailing programs. His addition strengthens the team’s versatility and reinforces its calm, data-driven approach to crew configuration. Consequently, Jensen’s presence is expected to accelerate training outputs and refine on-water leadership dynamics.
At the time of writing, Jensen is being integrated into the Auckland base’s rigorous winter training schedule, where he is fast-tracking his understanding of AC40 foiling yachts and Team NZ’s performance systems.
Training and On-Water Development in Auckland
Concurrently, the team has been active in on-water training sessions in the Hauraki Gulf, taking advantage of favourable summer conditions. Recent reports show seasoned sailors and newer team members working together across two-boat drills, focusing on boat speed, tactical manoeuvres, and crew coordination.
These training days extend beyond mere physical preparation. They also represent critical performance baselines that will be referenced during preliminary regattas and later phases of the campaign. In fact, teams often treat these sessions as diagnostic windows to fine-tune control systems, meteorological responses, and foiling stability under variable wind conditions.
Predictably, the dynamic between weather patterns and vessel response remains a core focus. Although Auckland’s wind conditions can fluctuate rapidly, the squad’s training consistency underscores a commitment to being technically prepared well before Cagliari’s preliminary regatta in May 2026.
America’s Cup Partnership and Structural Change
Meanwhile, the broader America’s Cup landscape continues to shift. The recently formed America’s Cup Partnership (ACP) has provided a new governance and commercial structure for the competition, bringing together Emirates Team New Zealand and its challengers in Naples.
The ACP serves not only as a framework for competition scheduling and event logistics but also reflects a collective effort to modernize the sport’s global appeal. Grant Dalton, CEO of Emirates Team New Zealand, characterised this initiative as a watershed moment that solidifies both the sporting and commercial trajectory of the America’s Cup.
Notably, the formalisation of key dates — beginning with two opening races on 10 July 2027 and concluding by the weekend of the 17–18 July — confirms that the Defender and its challengers now operate under a predictable timeline. This certainty is likely to influence not just preparations on water but also corporate partnerships, commercial engagements, and fan engagement strategies.
Road to Naples: Preliminary Regattas and Competitive Calibration
With the broader calendar now taking shape, attention quickly shifts toward early competitive tests. On the road to Naples, the first major marker is a preliminary regatta scheduled in Cagliari, Sardinia, from 21–24 May 2026.
This event will represent the first collective on-water test for many teams. For Team New Zealand, such a regatta provides an opportunity to benchmark against competitors in race conditions that mirror, albeit at reduced scale, the requirements of the America’s Cup proper. Importantly, variables such as crew coordination, tactical agility, and sail trim proficiency all become measurable under competitive duress.
Significantly, smaller foiling classes such as the AC40 will be deployed at Cagliari to allow teams to evaluate shared metrics and to test emerging crew combinations. As such, these preliminary events function as both learning arenas and performance laboratories.
Strategic Trends: Five Founding ACP Teams
In addition to Team New Zealand’s preparations, the broader context of the America’s Cup sees five founding teams committed to the ACP structure. These include Emirates Team New Zealand, GB1 (Great Britain), Luna Rossa (Italy), Tudor Team Alinghi (Switzerland), and K-Challenge (France).
This diversified field underscores a significant shift in competitive architecture. With multiple nations and syndicates devoted to a shared model, the sport is positioning itself for deeper global engagement and seriousness about sustainable competitive cycles.
For Team New Zealand, this expanded field enhances both the competitive standard and the strategic imperatives of preparation. Indeed, early cooperation and shared development within the ACP may elevate innovation, crew skill, and tactical synergy across all participating teams.
Looking Ahead: What Matters for the Defender
In summary, Emirates Team New Zealand is simultaneously executing on multiple fronts: talent acquisition, intense preparation in Auckland waters, and tactical alignment with the broader ACP calendar. By focusing on these core areas, the Defender is shaping a competitive posture that balances technical stress testing with strategic foresight.
Moreover, the integration of experienced sailors such as Iain Jensen into an already strong core indicates a willingness to adapt and strengthen. Rather than resting on past laurels, the Kiwis appear determined to remain at the cutting edge of foiling technology, racecraft, and crew dynamics.
As the team continues through 2026, both preliminary regattas and the Naples build-up will offer clearer pictures of its readiness. However, based on current developments, Emirates Team New Zealand remains a central figure in the ongoing evolution of the America’s Cup, with strong prospects for success — provided its strategic investments continue to yield performance gains on and off the water.
References
Jensen joins Emirates Team New Zealand squad.
ACP formalisation and Team NZ statements.
