Emmanuel LANGELLIER, Media365: published on Tuesday 09 March 2021 at 13:48
The 2021 America’s Cup will start on Tuesday evening. A competition that often succeeds for New Zealanders. Attempted explanation.
The 2021 America’s Cup is for Tuesday night! Postponed to the end of February, the first regattas of the 36th edition will finally be able to take place between Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli in Auckland Bay. Winner of the Americans of Oracle (7-1) four years ago, the New Zealand team will seek a new coronation. The fourth for the formation so strong in the event. “It’s a team where the culture of secrecy is very strong, tells L’Equipe Bertrand Pacé, second helmsman with Team New Zealand in 2003. This culture allows them to innovate without others knowing it. “If you talk, you sink the boat,” they usually say. There, the New Zealanders all know each other, whether they are members of the team or in another team. Also, never a member of TNZ will evoke any innovation outside the team. It’s a little anecdote but it denotes their state of mind. “
“They are continually trying to make the boat progress, to optimize ergonomics, to improve communication”
For the French, New Zealanders are very innovative. “All ideas are good to take, whether they come from the skipper, a sailor, a grinder (wincher) or an engineer. There is never a problem, only solutions. They are continually trying to make the boat progress, to optimize ergonomics, to improve communication. They really have that in them. That’s why they surprise so often ”, details Pacé before the big departure against the Italians who will try to bring to Europe a third victory after those of the Swiss Alinghi in 2003 and 2007.
“There are three important things: rugby, sailing and cricket. It’s their ways of showing that they exist ”
In this America’s Cup, the New Zealanders are somewhere on a “mission”. “New Zealand is a small country at the end of the world. There are three important things: rugby, sailing and cricket. It’s their ways of showing that they exist. This is the team where there is the most mutual help and the desire to get there. This is also why the defeat in 2003 in Auckland was experienced as a tragedy ”, enlightens Pacé in reference to the setback against Alinghi. Before the start this year, the Kiwis are under pressure. “In 2017, they had nothing to lose. They were homeless at first, and eventually they win. This year, at home, they have a lot of pressure. They were dominated by the Christmas-Race in December, but have they kept this advantage over the Italians who have progressed a lot? It is this uncertainty that gives the Cup its beauty, ”underlines Bertrand Pacé. We can’t wait to kick off!-–
