NZL 82

NZL 82 was a 2003-generation International America's Cup Class racing yacht. Raced by defenders Team New Zealand (TNZ) in the 2003 America's Cup Match , it was defeated 5-0 by challenger Alinghi (SUI 64).

NZL 82 and 81 docked in harbor

Background

After the successful 2000 defence in Auckland, there was an "exodus" of senior TNZ members who were lured by rich syndicates to join their challenges for the 2003 America's Cup. Most notable among these departures was that of Russell Coutts and Brad Butterworth to Swiss challengers Alinghi.

These departures resulted in a lack of senior leadership at TNZ, which along with a relative lack of funds, caused the team to resort to radical design innovations in an attempt to defend the cup with raw boat speed alone.

Design Innovation

NZL 82 was notable for its design innovations. The most controversial of these was the so-called "HULA" (Hull Appendage) - a flat appendage attached to the afterbody of the hull designed to increase waterline length (and therefore speed) without increasing the overall length of the boat. Another radical innovation was the keel bulb, which at approximately 7 metres in length, was over 2 metres longer than its competitors of the time.

Disaster

TNZ's 2003 defense was completely ineffective, losing 0-5 to challenger Alinghi. The defeat was largely due to NZL 82's lack of reliability.

The first race was sailed in a stiff breeze and choppy seas. NZL 82 retired due to multiple gear failures in the rigging and the low cockpit unexpectedly taking onboard large quantities of water. The end of the boom snapped off due to increased stress caused by the weight of water in the boat. In addition the headsail pulled out of the groove in the forestay foil, damaging it and preventing a new sail from being hoisted.

Race 4 was sailed in strong winds and rough seas and NZL 82's mast snapped on the third leg causing retirement.

On the third leg in race 5, NZL 82 broke a spinnaker pole.

Alinghi's SUI 64 proved to be quicker and more reliable.

Louis Vuitton Acts 2004-2006

NZL 82 was subsequently refined and competed in the Louis Vuitton Acts which were used as the build-up to the 2007 America's Cup. NZL 82 won the 2004 Louis Vuitton Season.

2007 / 2008 Use

NZL 82 along with NZL 81 are both currently in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The boats, now owned and operated by Cabo Adventures, are set up so that the public has the opportunity to race the yachts off the Sea of Cortez / Pacific Ocean areas near Cabo San Lucas.^[1]

Both yachts have had engines installed in order to get them out off the Cabo San Lucas coast into the stronger breezes. Heavier sails have also been purchased and installed which will last much longer than the lighter, racing sails used in America's Cup racing.

References

1. ^ www.cabo-adventures.com