Emirates Team New Zealand has been the class act of the Louis Vuitton Cup, the America’s Cup Challenger Series, and today the Kiwis set a new top speed for the AC72s while getting one point closer to a free pass into the final round.

Shortly after starting, skipper Dean Barker and the Kiwi crew recorded a top speed of 44.15 knots – 50.8 mph/81.7 kph/74.5 feet per second – on the first reach leg. The windspeed on the leg peaked at 15.8 knots. The team’s previous record was 43.26 knots, set on July 9 in slightly stronger winds.

“By far this is the coolest, most fun boat I’ve ever sailed on, there’s no doubt about that,” said Emirates Team New Zealand wing trimmer Glenn Ashby, who watched today’s race from the chase boat.

“Doing 40-plus knots reaching and downwind and low-to-mid 20 knots upwind, there’s no other boat as a sailor that you’d ever wish to sail on at that moment. The boats are getting faster and faster. Every month, we’re getting quicker. If we had another six or eight months of development we’d probably get another 3 to 4 knots quicker. The feeling sailing downwind is surreal, covering ground that quickly,” Ashby said.

Emirates Team New Zealand notched its fifth point of the series in five starts, four of which have been unopposed, yet the team has remained focused on the racecourse.

“It’s good to keep mixing it up, good to have the pressure of time lines and race starts to make sure our reliability is there,” said Adam Beashel. “Beasho” has been the bowman through the first few races but today moved back to wing trim, giving Ashby a break.

“Practicing maneuvers is invaluable,” said Beashel. “There’ll be a lot of that in the business end of the deal (the America’s Cup Final), so our maneuvers have to be up to scratch.”

Before Emirates Team New Zealand raced, defender ORACLE TEAM USA had exclusive use of the racecourse for 45 minutes. ORACLE TEAM USA had its two AC72s out, with skipper Jimmy Spithill and afterguard member Ben Ainslie at the helms.

“We managed to get a good hour on the racecourse. It was valuable time before the challengers started racing in the afternoon. We had a few races, good training,” said Kyle Langford, ORACLE TEAM USA wing trimmer. “The AC72s are awesome to sail, nothing compares. They’re one-of-a-kind, pushing the limits of what boats and sailing can do.”