How Massey University Used Equine CT Technology to Image the Foil Arms of Emirates Team New Zealand’s Taihoro

When Emirates Team New Zealand needed to inspect two critical components of its AC75 foiling yacht, Taihoro, the team brought an unusual pair of ‘patients’ to Massey University’s Tawhārau Ora School of Veterinary Science.

The patients were not horses—or animals of any kind. They were two carbon-fibre foil arms, each approximately 4.5 metres long and weighing around 450 kilograms.

The components were transported from Auckland to Massey University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital for detailed computed tomography (CT) imaging. The scans formed part of Emirates Team New Zealand’s routine inspection programme, allowing the team’s engineers to assess the internal condition of the foil arms without dismantling them.

Imaging an Unconventional ‘Patient’

Foil arms are among the most important structural components of an AC75 foiling monohull yacht. They connect the hull to the underwater hydrofoil wings, enabling the yacht to lift clear of the water and effectively ‘fly’ across the surface.

Because the foil arms are large, elongated and made from advanced composite materials, inspecting their internal structure presented a significant imaging challenge. Conventional CT scanners would not be able to accommodate an object of this size and shape.

Massey University’s large-bore CT scanner, however, offered the necessary opening. When combined with the load-bearing capacity of the Equus CT Table and the flexibility of the hospital’s overhead gantry system, the facility provided a practical solution for positioning and scanning the components.

“The foil arm weighs about the same as a horse, but it’s much longer.”

— Dr Jane Langton Burnell, Director of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Dr Chris Hickey, Materials and Process Engineer at Emirates Team New Zealand, explains:

“The table could support the weight, the gantry allowed us to safely position the arm, and the scanner had an opening large enough for it to pass through. Without those features, it wouldn’t be possible.”

Planning the Scanning Process

Before scanning began, Emirates Team New Zealand developed a detailed three-dimensional computer model to determine how each foil arm could be moved through the scanner.

The team had to carefully plan the positioning sequence, including the angle at which each section would enter the scanner, how the component would be supported and when it would need to be repositioned or rotated.

As Dr Hickey described it, the process involved working out “how to thread the needle.”

Each foil arm was scanned in sections. After one section was imaged, the component was repositioned so the next area could be examined. In some configurations, the arm had to be rotated before being fed back through the scanner.

Although the team had completed an initial scan several months earlier using a spare foil arm, the two-day operation still required precision, coordination and careful manoeuvring. Veterinary Radiographer Colin Sue led the CT imaging work, supported by members of Massey’s Equine Hospital team, who assisted with lifting and positioning using the gantry system.

A Platform Built for Demanding Loads

The project demonstrates how equipment developed for equine imaging can support applications well beyond conventional veterinary use.

Large-animal CT examinations require systems that can safely accommodate substantial weight, provide sufficient access around the patient and allow precise positioning. These same characteristics can be valuable when imaging large industrial, sporting or composite components.

The Equus CT Table is designed to support demanding equine CT workflows, helping clinical teams position large patients accurately and efficiently. In this project, its load-bearing design and compatibility with an overhead gantry contributed to a scanning setup capable of handling components that were far longer and more rigid than a typical veterinary patient.

Bringing Advanced Imaging to New Zealand

According to Dr Hickey, foil arms of this size had previously needed to be scanned overseas, where specialised facilities had been established for this type of inspection.

“Up until now, there hasn’t been anywhere in New Zealand to do this level of scanning. The team at Massey approached the challenge with enthusiasm and professionalism from day one. Their support has helped us better understand these complex structures and continue pushing performance forward.”

For Massey University, the collaboration highlights the versatility of its veterinary imaging infrastructure and the expertise of the staff who operate it.

“While the hospital is best known for caring for animal patients and training our next generation of veterinarians, it is exciting to see that our technology and specialised infrastructure can support collaborations beyond veterinary medicine.”

— Dr Langton Burnell

Flexible Imaging for Large and Complex Applications

From equine patients to high-performance yacht components, this project shows what can be achieved when large-bore CT technology is combined with the right table, positioning equipment and technical expertise.

The result was a carefully engineered imaging workflow that enabled Emirates Team New Zealand to examine the internal condition of its foil arms in New Zealand—using equipment and infrastructure originally designed to advance equine healthcare.