Back to the water
After months of quiet development, Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ) has returned to the Hauraki Gulf — and to the rhythm of America’s Cup life. The AC40 is flying again, the crew rotation is under way, and the defending champions have finally shifted from workshop to water as the build-up to the 38th America’s Cup in Naples begins.
“It’s basically been a year since the last race in Barcelona,” said Kevin Shoebridge, ETNZ’s Chief Operating Officer. “We finally started our sailing programme, which is a great milestone for the team. Although there’s a huge amount that goes on behind the scenes… sailing is the reason you do it really. It reinvigorates the place.”
For ETNZ, this new block of training marks a return to fundamentals — re-establishing crew chemistry, refreshing handling skills, and testing how quickly the next generation can adapt to high-speed foiling.
Outteridge leads a new-look crew
At the heart of the action is Nathan Outteridge, now firmly in charge on the water. The skipper has been rotating sailors through every position onboard, encouraging flexibility and shared understanding across the squad.
“This block is about getting back into sailing, really,” said Outteridge. “Getting used to the AC40s again and giving all the new team members a chance to sail in different positions and start to feel at home.”
Among the fresh faces are a mix of Olympic medallists, youth sailors, and new recruits making their Cup debuts. The sessions are demanding, with constant foil trimming, helming swaps, and fast learning under pressure. “All our new recruits are doing really well,” Outteridge said. “We’re starting to throw the boat around a lot more now, it’s starting to feel natural, and everyone’s excited to take it to the next level.”
Jo Aleh returns to Cup action
One familiar name making waves is Jo Aleh, the double Olympic medallist and skipper from the Puig Women’s America’s Cup. This is her first time back on the AC40 since Barcelona.
“It’s been pretty cool being a part of this,” she said. “It’s just the beginning. I need to get a bit more comfy, but I’m looking forward to some more yachting over the next few weeks.”
Jo Aleh, and the difference between representation and tokenism
Aleh’s inclusion reflects ETNZ’s growing integration of its Women’s and Youth programmes into the main sailing team — a clear sign that the boundaries between campaigns are narrowing.
Building the next generation
Shoebridge confirmed that the team has launched a formal internship programme to strengthen its youth and women’s ranks. The first intake includes Serena Woodall, Stella Bilger, Aimee Bright, Sofia Higgott, and Helena Sanderson — all talented Kiwi sailors now gaining exposure to the Cup environment.
“It’s really exciting to be building that side of things so early on,” Shoebridge said. “We’ve started a pretty strong internship programme as we look to strengthen our Youth and Women’s America’s Cup groups.”
This early commitment to development signals ETNZ’s intent to embed talent pipelines long before the next Cup cycle begins.
Eyes on Naples
While the AC40 sessions form the foundation, attention is already turning toward the AC75 design programme and the 2026 regatta in Naples.
“It’s really now about looking forward to the Cup in Naples and what that means for the AC75,” Shoebridge explained. “We’re doing the preliminary work now — understanding the class rule, knowing where we can move within that space, and what we can do. Our plan is to be in Naples next year doing some sailing at the venue.”
That means the long winter of quiet preparation is over. With foils lifting once again and new energy across the team, Emirates Team New Zealand’s pursuit of a fourth consecutive America’s Cup is officially underway — steady, focused, and unmistakably Kiwi.
