Behind closed doors, Team New Zealand add 'host of componentry' to boat as it prepares for America's Cup final

Team NZ has "a few things" up their sleeve as they prepare for the America's Cup final. Photo / www.photosport.nz

The development race will continue for Team New Zealand right up until the start of the America's Cup match on Sunday.

After on Tuesday booking a re-match with Oracle Team USA in the Cup finale, it was a much quieter day at the Emirates Team New Zealand base at Bermuda's Royal Naval Dockyard on Wednesday, with the crew given the day off to rest up after a draining couple of weeks.

Beyond the tented doors to the team's boatshed it was not so serene, as the shore crew got to work preparing the New Zealand boat for its ultimate test.

The team's high-powered 50-ft catamaran has been put through a lot over the last couple of weeks, most graphically, the dramatic capsize in last week's semifinals.

While skipper Glenn Ashby insists Aotearoa is back to "99.9 per cent" following that crash, it is understood there are still a couple of issues to tidy up and regular maintenance to be taken care of on the boat.

There are also, Ashby says, planned upgrades to be made to the boat.

Team NZ have regularly alluded to keeping a couple of things up their sleeve for a potential Cup match. These new pieces of hardware will likely reveal itself in the next couple of days.

"We've got a whole host of componentry that is still arriving and coming on tap all the time.

"You never know if you're going to make it through or not, but if you do it's nice to know you've got a few things up your sleeve to put on the boat moving forward," says Ashby.

The boat can't be shut up in the shed for too long, however.

The crew are expected to be back training on Bermuda's Great Sound on Thursday.

The New Zealand team not only have to stay match-fit to ensure they're at their best to take on the slick Oracle line-up, but they also need to be given the opportunity to test out any new equipment and ensure they're comfortable with it.

There has been much speculation about what Team NZ could possibly be holding back for the Cup match. At this late stage all the major components are locked in, with any new development expected to be in the foil tips and rudder elevators.

It is unclear whether Team NZ plan to recommission the wingsail smashed when it bore the brunt of the impact of the pitchpole incident.