Stuff.co.nz
Team New Zealand have had their America's Cup campaign boosted with sidelined Italian syndicate Luna Rossa lending them a testing boat.
The Italians pulled out of the cup in protest to late changes made in design rules. But they had already built a 45-foot foiling catamaran and now have continued their strong relationship with the Kiwis by handing it over to help New Zealand's quest for Bermuda 2017.
It's a major acquisition for Grant Dalton's cash-strapped syndicate and will allow them to forge on with testing and development on the water, an area they have lagged in over the past year.
The Kiwis have also brought on board some Italian team members.
A container of equipment arrived at the Kiwi headquarters in Auckland on Thursday.
The Kiwis also have equipment from the now defunct Team Australia syndicate.
These boats, together with their own AC45 being used on the America's Cup world series circuit, means they have their full complement of craft under the development rules in place at this stage of the cycle.
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