Emirates Team NZ TP52 blazing in 28 knots!!

There is no time to rest for the world's sailing powerhouse. As we said earlier today, Peter Reggio might have cancelled all Louis Vuitton racing due to the strong breeze but the Emirates Team NZ crew didn't spend the day barbequeing. Instead, they spent the morning testing their modified TP52 yacht on the Waitamata Harbour, in winds that ranged from 22 to 28 knots, carrying out stress tests on the bowsprit at 24 knots.

Later this afternoon, we will have the expert opinion on the latest modifications from Marcelino Botín, the team's principal designer and mastermind of the TP52 yacht that swept the 2009 Medcup circuit. Nevertheless, we hear that Botín might be facing a formidable competitor this year, coming out from the computers of Argentinean Juan Kouyoumdjian. The rumor goes that Kouyoumdjian designed a TP52 boat for Team Origin so radical that it will have people scratching their heads in Cascais in two months.

Emirates Team NZ carrying out stress tests on the bowsprit of their TP52 yacht at 24 knots. Auckland, 12 March 2010. Photo copyright Chris Cameron / Emirates Team NZ

Emirates Team NZ carrying out stress tests on the bowsprit of their TP52 yacht at 24 knots. Auckland, 12 March 2010. Photo copyright Chris Cameron / Emirates Team NZ

Emirates Team NZ testing their TP52 yacht in breezes between 22 and 28 knots. Auckland, 12 March 2010. Photo copyright Chris Cameron / Emirates Team NZ

Emirates Team NZ testing their TP52 yacht in breezes between 22 and 28 knots. Auckland, 12 March 2010. Photo copyright Chris Cameron / Emirates Team NZ

Emirates Team NZ testing their TP52 yacht in breezes between 22 and 28 knots. Auckland, 12 March 2010. Photo copyright Chris Cameron / Emirates Team NZ