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NZL 92

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NZL-92 returning to port in Valencia, Spain for the 32nd America's Cup

NZL-92 (pronounced "EN-ZED-EL Ninety-Two", except in American English) is an International America's Cup Class racing boat that won the Louis Vuitton Cup 2007 but lost do defender Alinghi in the 2007 America's Cup.

A short history

In 2004, Emirates Team New Zealand head Grant Dalton revamped the Team New Zealand program to begin the first semi all-kiwi America's Cup challenge. Following the unfortunate defeat of a design-led campaign in 2003 which was mainly due to deficiences in the boat, Dalton saw the need for a combination of a sailor-led campaign with a 'good all round boat' as seen in the 2003 America's Cup winner Alinghi's SUI-64.

However, in the lead up to creating an all round good boat a seemingly spectacular breakthrough of both aesthetics and speed was accomplished, thus establishing NZL-92 as the one of the most attractive and technologically advanced International America's Cup Class boats in the 2007 America's Cup, and also up to date.

With its unique curved bow similar to NZL-84, NZL-92 quickly mirrored the race-winning results as NZL-84 had established in the Louis Vuitton Cup Acts leading up to the Louis Vuitton Cup. Like NZL-84, NZL-92 quickly became the benchmark the other 10 Challengers and 1 Defender upon which speed and style was measured.

Aesthetics

Intitally considered unattractive, the unique curved bow on both NZL-92 and NZL-84 are quickly appearing to set a new evolution of yacht design and style in the 32nd America's Cup. This is reflected on the comments of race commentator and Cup organizer Bruno Trouble remarked, 'ugly boats quickly become attractive once they start winning races!'

When compared with NZL-82 and NZL-81, and most of the 31st America's Cup edition boats which have a very flat double-knuckle bow, with expection of both Alinghi's SUI-64 and BMW Oracle Racing's USA-71.

Overall performance and aesthetics

Both the benchmark in aesthetics and speed, NZL-92 at present appears to be the fastest IACC boat built. This is reflected upon the other 10 Challengers mimicking its design, particularly in the bow. This can be seen especially on Areva-Challenge and CHINATeam, FRA-93 and CHA-95 respectively.

NZL-92 won the Louis Vuitton Cup 2007 in five races on the 6th of June 2007 against Luna Rossa Challenge ITA-94 , but did not manage to defeat defender Alinghi SUI-100 in the 32nd Americas Cup, losing 5 races to 2 on the 3rd of July, 2007.