NZL 92 launched

PM does the honours for Emirates Team New Zealand

Emirates Team New Zealand has launched its second 2007 race yacht, with Prime Minster Helen Clark performing the honours at the team’s Auckland base. More than 800 people closely associated with the campaign, including sponsors and suppliers, were invited to a base barbecue to celebrate another milestone on the road to the 2007 America’s Cup.

Team managing director Grant Dalton said the launch of the new yacht sets the course for the rest of the campaign.

“The hardware is in place … now it is up to the team to put together a regatta-winning performance. To achieve that we are now racing against the clock. We have come a long way since 2003 and we have a long way to go," he said.

“We have until April 16 next year to pull together all the strands that will make it possible to win the America’s Cup. According to the Omega countdown clock that is 178 days from now. In NZL 92 we think we have a potentially competitive yacht. Now, the yachtsmen, designers and shore crew have to extract that potential.

“That’s not as easy as it sounds. We launched NZL 84 in December last year and we’re still learning something every time we go sailing in it.”

Dalton thanked the team’s sponsors and suppliers who have given the team such great support. “Without the faith shown by the New Zealand Government and generous individuals who are passionate team supporters and the companies that have supported us with cash, goods and expertise, we would not be celebrating today.”

“We thank you for your trust. We value it. And we are working very hard to justify the tremendous support this team has had from New Zealanders through good times and bad.”