All Black Legend joined Emirates Team NZ for a Smashing Day

ALL BLACK LEGEND MA'A NONU JOINS EMIRATES TEAM NZ FOR A SMASHING DAY

All Black great Ma’a Nonu joined Emirates Team New Zealand onboard the AC45 racing boat for training day at the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series in Toulon today.

In typical Nonu style it was a sail with plenty of impact.

The breeze was up around 18- 22 knots and Emirates Team New Zealand were straight up onto the foils flying downwind at over 30 knots.

“I was really excited to get on the boat, when it started to take off up on its foils I was like a kid in a candy store trying to hide my smile” said Nonu.

Nonu who now lives in Toulon and plays rugby for the local Toulon rugby team, had a white knuckle ride downwind before coming to an abrupt halt.

“It was going really fast, but it came to a halt and it crashed to the water, but the boys were pretty calm and came over to see if I was OK.”

The crash resulted in some damage which ended Nonu’s ride and the teams training session on the water for the day.

“It was fantastic for the boys to have Ma’a join the team for the day, a really special day for everybody.” said skipper Glenn Ashby.

“He is an exceptionally talented New Zealander. I think he was quite happy to go for a spin, but unfortunately we had a bit of wing damage fairly early on in our training session, but he certainly had enough of a ride to get fully soaked and he had a great time.”

“The boys have been really welcoming and that’s good about kiwis enjoying each others company,” Nonu said.

“It’s great they are here in Toulon where I am staying at the moment, all the best to Team New Zealand.”

The Emirates Team New Zealand shore crew will have the repaired wing ready for the official practice race day tomorrow, before points racing begins on Saturday & Sunday at Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Toulon.

The Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Portsmouth will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sports NZ

Day 1: LIVE from 12:30am Sunday 11th September on SKY Sport 5

REPLAY 9:00am Sunday 11th September on SKY Sport 2

Day 2: LIVE from 12:30am Monday 12th September on SKY Sport 5

REPLAY 7:00am Monday 12th September on SKY Sport 2

© Scoop Media