Toyota NZ joy at sailing win
“Nail-biting racing, unbelievable victories and out-and-out brilliant sailing by all of the sailors in the team.”
That’s the verdict of Andrew Davis, vice-president at Toyota New Zealand, on Emirates Team NZ taking out the America’s Cup on October 19.
“From here in Barcelona, there was a sense of nervousness in the air, but the team showed incredible calmness and concentration,” he says. “Even when it was getting close, they didn’t get rattled and just got the job done.
“As the most loyal sponsor of Emirates Team NZ, we are enormously proud of the team.”
Toyota NZ is the team’s longest-serving and most consistent supporter. This month’s racing off the Spanish coast was the ninth America’s Cup campaign Toyota has been involved in.
Davis says: “Team NZ has always been the underdog coming from a little country at the bottom of the world, usually with the smallest budget, up against global teams with significant investment. But we are simply Kiwis wanting to be proud to succeed.
“We’re proud to have supported a team that have transitioned from a sailing team to an innovation team, showcasing Kiwi ingenuity, grit and determination.”
The innovation of using a foiling monohull and cyclors to power the boat’s sailing systems epitomised the team’s ability to think outside of the box and continued to challenge the parameters of sailing.
David adds: “This campaign was more than winning a boat race. It was a showcase of New Zealand’s world-class innovation with Emirates Team New Zealand displaying our cutting-edge technology on a global stage.
“The AC75 Taihoro and hydrogen-powered chase boats, powered by Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cells, exemplify incredible advancements made here in New Zealand.
Toyota NZ first joined an America’s Cup campaign in 1992 and was involved in Black Magic’s victory in 1995 and successful defence in 2000.
It has also stood behind the team when the trophy went to Switzerland in 2003, and the challenges in 2007 and 2013. It was with the team again for successful campaigns in 2017 and 2021.
“Toyota’s support of Team New Zealand since 1992 is one of the most successful sports sponsorships in the country’s history,” says Davis.
