Team Australia purchases Te Rehutai AC75 design package from Team NZ
- Team Australia enters the 38th edition of the America's Cup as a late entry, purchasing a design package including the second-generation AC75 Te Rehutai from Team New Zealand.
- Te Rehutai is the exact boat Team New Zealand sailed to victory in Auckland during the 2021 America's Cup.
- Team Australia's purchase gives the syndicate a proven hull design for their upcoming campaign.
Team Australia enters the 38th edition of the America’s Cup as a late entry, purchasing a design package including the second-generation AC75 Te Rehutai from Team New Zealand.
The AC75 Te Rehutai design package
Te Rehutai is the exact boat Team New Zealand sailed to victory in Auckland during the 2021 America’s Cup. The Kiwis subsequently used the vessel for training and development before launching their newer AC75, Taihoro, ahead of the Barcelona regatta.
Team Australia’s purchase gives the syndicate a proven hull design for their upcoming campaign. He’s a true professional, has a great eye for detail and understands what’s required to have the boat ready to go each day,
an official source noted regarding the team’s operational preparations. There’s a lot that goes into getting these boats off the dock and he’ll be a key part of that.
SailGP roster transitions to America’s Cup
Team Australia’s sailing squad features nearly the entire roster from the Flying Roos SailGP team. Tom Slingsby, who drives for the Flying Roos and previously helmed American Magic, will lead the campaign as head of sailing and is slated to take a helming role on board.
Luke Parkinson, a former Great Britain America’s Cup sailor and current Great Britain SailGP flight controller, has also signed on to compete for his home country. The broader roster includes Tash Bryant, Kinley Fowler, Sam Newton, Jason Waterhouse, and Tom Needham.
The sole exception from the SailGP unit is trimmer Iain Jensen. Jensen chose to join Team New Zealand to assist in their Cup defense alongside former Olympic crewmate Nathan Outteridge.
Team Australia awaits first on-water action
Team Australia stands as the only competing syndicate yet to participate in on-water action during this Cup cycle. The challenge was announced in May, just a week before the initial preliminary regatta in Cagliari, and the team also sat out the Naples regatta.