America’s Cup: Team New Zealand add Iain Jensen for Naples defence

In their bid to defend the America’s Cup in Naples in 2027, Emirates Team New Zealand have branched out.

It was always going to be an option for teams to look outside their own country for athletes to help their chances when, before the protocol was confirmed, the Kiwis revealed British sailor Chris Draper among their initial core.

The protocol later confirmed incumbent teams could sail with two non-nationals on board, and now the defender of the Auld Mug has enough to fill that quota.

Team NZ have signed Iain Jensen for their campaign, with the Australian joining the team for two-boat sailing in Auckland this week.

Jensen is currently the wing trimmer for the Australian SailGP Team, having joined that team for the 2026 campaign after winning the season five title with Great Britain. Jensen replaced Draper in that role, with the Brit joining Team NZ skipper Nathan Outteridge and other America’s Cup teammates sailing for the league’s new Swedish entry.

“There’s been a lot of effort to get me in and make sure I understand how these boats sail with the way Team New Zealand have got it set up and try to fast-track my learning,” Jensen said.

“From the outside, you always look at this team and think they’re very efficient with their time. When the opportunity came to join, I jumped at it.

“I know a lot of the guys in the sailing team and I know a few of the guys in the shore and design team as well. I’m just excited to see what the next few months brings, and then the year-and-a-half after that.”

The 37-year-old, who was ruled out of the SailGP season opener in Perth due to a knee injury, is no stranger to the AC75 incarnation of the America’s Cup, having been part of the British challenge in the last two editions of the regatta.

Jensen brings another familiar face into the fold for Outteridge, who took over as skipper for the new campaign following Peter Burling’s exit from the team.

Outteridge and Jensen represented Australia together in the 49er class, beating Burling and new Team NZ teammate Blair Tuke for Olympic gold in London in 2012, before settling for silver behind the Kiwi duo in Rio de Janeiro four years later. The pair also won a number of world championships together.

“We’re back into sailing this year and it’s a pretty important time for us to just keep getting the hours on the water and training up all the sailors,” Outteridge said.

“He’s a good buddy of mine, we did a lot of 49er sailing together and he’s bringing a lot of expertise to the programme. I think we’ve got a great mix within the sailing group.”

The addition comes as the team continues to build towards the first proper racing of the new campaign, with a preliminary regatta in Cagliari on the Italian island of Sardinia from May 21-24.

For that regatta, which will be contested on the AC40 scaled-down vessels, all teams are allowed to enter two boats with one to be crewed by sailors from the respective teams’ women’s and youth programmes.

Confirmed Emirates Team New Zealand sailing team

Nathan Outteridge (skipper), Blair Tuke, Andy Maloney, Sam Meech, Jo Aleh, Chris Draper (GBR), Iain Jensen (AUS), Jake Pye, Seb Menzies, and Josh Armit.

Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.