What a morning! Last night I got hold of a team member of BMW Oracle Racing to see if he could sign a jacket of mine, to which he accepted & told me to come down to the base tomorrow morning for a look at the boats which were going to be in the water on the dock until 10am. Got in the car this morning, driving from Silverdale, coming in on the Northern Motorway...traffic! Aghhh I thought I was going to be late, but no, I made it!Just as I got to the
Emirates Team New Zealand base, they were launching USA-98 into the water ready for action.
Today USA-98 was going to be sailed by BMW Oracle & USA-87 by Team New Zealand for
another shakedown sail. Perfect conditions!
So I jumped onboard USA-87 for a good poke around and to be honest, I was speechless. This was what I had been dreaming of for years to step aboard a V5 IACC boat, completely all to myself with no one around! Amazing. I had a good look on deck, went into the sewer not much up there apart from some cool plaques for IACC class certification then had a look at the hydralics etc, amazing. There is SO much carbon on the
se boats its not funny.
Lots of activity happening on 98 as 87 was already prep'd.
Saw most of the 'famous' crew of both teams. Good news. Emirates Team New Zealand's new crew uniform, which I expect will be on sale for the public to by at the Line7 shop under the Big Boat is REALLY cool, looks like we are going back to black with a silver fern up the shoulder with really cool 'New Zealand' in italics on the back. Cant wait to get some gears!
Anyhow after I had a look on USA-87 I had a talk with the crew member who allowed me to come down for a look & thanked him ever so much. What a dream, just to be on these amazing machines, incredible.
I might go down again while the regatta is on to have another look but that is as close as you will get for now!
Check out the pictures in my gallery link!
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