The Women's America's Cup, Official Practice. Photo: Ian Roman / America's Cup
For the first time in 173 years of racing history, the 37th America's Cup will also see the best women sailors in the world battle it out on the water.
Kicking off on Saturday, the Women's America's Cup field will include 17 Olympic medallists, including three of the New Zealand crew.
On deck for Team New Zealand will be Liv Mackay and Jo Aleh on the helms, with Mollie Meech and Gemma Jones trimming the AC40, and Erica Dawson as back-up sailor.
The Kiwis were relishing the historic event, but said they were under no illusions at the level of talent across their competition.
"It's going to be awesome come Saturday to have six boats on the start line. It's a massive moment," Mackay said.
"We have all come into this, trained a lot and put a lot into it. So, I think for us we have to have a learning but attacking mindset because we feel like we're learning so much every time we sail. But at the same time, we are extremely competitive."
For trimmer Meech, the team has been so focused on their own preparations that it was only just becoming clear how high the standard of racing would be against some familiar foes.
"I guess it didn't really hit me until we had the briefing the other day with how many of the other competitors we actually know, and how many we've sailed against in different Olympic classes in the past. I think it's going to be about how we minimise the mistakes but also progressing and improving as a team throughout this regatta and learning the quickest."
Over the past few days, the teams have been utilising their time on AC40 practice racing after hundreds of hours refining their race tactics and skills on the simulator.
"The practice racing has been awesome. It's been tough but I love the AC40, and it's definitely my favourite boat I've ever sailed," Aleh said.
She said what makes the regatta particularly interesting is the fact none of the sailors have had enough time to "really get to know the boat properly".
"So, you have to be able to work as a team, be on the same page. And so much of our training is just about that and trying to make sure that we gel as a team."
Mackay said there was a strong sense of "togetherness" among the sailors.
"Everyone wants to show, how incredible females can be at the top level of sailing and then if you're honest and super competitive, we want to show the best of our team as well."
