FIVE ALIVE
For the very first time in this America’s Cup cycle, all five teams were in action, and it was very much a marker of what we can expect over the next 22 months as the teams get ready for what is expected to be one of the closest America’s Cups on record.
Back out of the shed today was the much-modified BoatZero of Alinghi Red Bull Racing who broke cover and rolled onto the forecourt after intensive surgery to fit the pre-fabricated self-tacking jib system that has seen the boat almost chopped in half to retro-fit the upgrade. So difficult has the process been, due to the under-deck adjustments that have had to be factored, most notably to the hull/deck structure, that what looks like a simple upgrade has seen the Swiss team in the shed since the 16th November.
That’s almost a month but the ‘Bull’ is back, raring to go in the New Year and as the recon team noted: “Alinghi have refitted the deck with a self-tacking jib track. Over the break in sailing sessions, the deck was cut, and previous systems removed, replaced with a prefabricated module and supported with structure. The jib systems were then fitted about the interior. No testing of the new jib track was done, however other systems checks were carried out, with the wings being raised and dropped on occasion. There was no evidence of cyclor systems in the cockpit. On account of the new self-tacking system, the clew of the jibs have been cut within Technical Regulations Rule 4.3 limitations to accommodate the track where necessary. Alinghi have packed the boat up and will not roll out until January 2023.”
INEOS Britannia was the one that we have all been waiting to see after the ruling, handed down by the AC Rules Committee, against their towing mast brought forward their sailing programme. It was a light weather first sail and shakedown for the British team who announced a new member of the cyclor unit in Matt Rossiter, and who are very much back in the game. The on-water recon unit noted that: “The British team’s much awaited first day of sailing was very much a commissioning/shakedown session to find out how the sails fit, and the various control systems functioned. After rolling out a fraction over 30 minutes behind schedule at 0901 the mast was stepped, and the rigging attached – a process that took an hour and a quarter. After launching, the support crew and technicians were busy testing the hydraulic systems relating to the rig. A portable electric winch pedestal was fitted to the foredeck and used to hoist a support team member to the top of the mast to fit three data aerials and the wind instruments.”
“Soon after the sails were loaded aboard, and dock out took place at 1321. Out in Palma Bay in minor flat conditions, the team hoisted the double skin boomless mainsail and attached the hydraulic ram system to the aft end. A support crew member was hoisted to the top of the mast and appeared to be working on the halyard lock, before the mainsail was taken down again and the support crew member hoisted halfway up the mast to give attention to the aft side of the mast. A second mainsail hoist proved successful, and the boat was towed over to the east side of the Bay where the breeze had started to fill in. At 1545 the boat was released from the tow and sailed in displacement mode for 35 minutes as the crew checked the sail controls. Two slow tacks took place in displacement mode. Two attempts were made to tow the boat into foiling mode (on one foil) but neither lasted more than a few minutes and the boat looked unstable and on the edge of control. Take off speeds were estimated to be around 17 -20 knots with peak speed estimated to be in the high 20 knot range.”
Meanwhile out in the Bay of Angels, the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli sailing team were busy perfecting sailing technique with helmsmen Francesco ‘Cecco’ Bruni and Marco Gradoni concentrating on light airs take-offs in a morning session where the wind, from the northwest filtering over the mountain range behind, struggled to get above 9 knots. The recon team noted that: “The prototype struggled for a self-take off. It seems that while the mainsail is constantly powered and depowered (‘pumping’) the leeward board arm is close to parallel to waterline. It is unclear whether during the transition the two flaps are regulated separately or combined to generate the required lift and side forces. Several upwind tow-to-fly runs were observed.”
No such trouble for Emirates Team New Zealand however, who took their second AC40 out on the Hauraki Gulf for a thoroughly entertaining shakedown sail that saw the test team of Nathan Outteridge, Pete Burling, Andy Maloney and newbie Marcus Hanson complete some 34 tacks with an 88% foil-to-foil success rate and 19 gybes with an 89% foil-to-foil success rate straight out of the box. That’s astonishing, remarkable, and a true testament to where the Kiwis are at in this America’s Cup cycle. All credit to the shore team, designers and technicians. The Cup holders are very much setting the pace.
But the team that has been making everyone sit up and take notice, New York Yacht Club American Magic, were towed outside of the Bay in the afternoon to find bigger swells and were absolutely sending it on long runs that saw the recon RIB struggle to keep up. The on-water recon team kept a visual on Patriot throughout the session and noted that: “The wind was 12k with slightly higher gusts. The offshore swell was 3 feet (with the occasional set of 4-5ft waves). The residual chop on top of the swell was confused and coming from different directions, creating a washing machine effect. It was difficult to discern (at times) whether Patriot had touched down or if the hull and foil were on different parts of the wave. There were several instances where the main hull was on top of the wave and the foil was in the trough. During those instances Patriot would quickly come off foil as there appeared to be no water under the foil.”
“The American Magic team sailed approximately 30 nautical miles, comprising of 7 windward/leeward legs. Patriot began sailing at 12:48, completed 11 manoeuvres, and ended sailing at 15:13. Patriot self-foiled 6 times and was towed up 6 times. The longest flying time was approximately 11 minutes. Total flight time was approximately 32 minutes.”
The road to the America’s Cup was very much alive today and ahead of the well-earned Christmas break, the teams were all on their game, setting themselves up for a fascinating January of testing and learning. 2023 is going to be the year that makes or breaks each of these teams vying to win the America’s Cup.
It’s game on. All on. (Magnus Wheatley)
Stats for the Day:
Emirates Team New Zealand
Dock out: 1135 Dock-in: 1435
Onboard Today
Helms: Nathan Outteridge / Pete Burling
Crew: Andy Maloney / Marcus Hanson
Sails Used:
M1 (OD) Mainsail: 3 hours
J2 (OD): 3 hours
Total Tacks: 34 – 30 foil-to-foil, 3 touch & go, 1 touchdown
Total Gybes: 19 – 17 foil-to-foil, 1 touch & go, 1 touchdown
Wind Strength: 5-10 knots (PM), Northerly, 30% cloud cover, 24 degrees
Sea State: Calm
Take-off speed: 13 knots at 80 degrees TWA (True Wind Angle)
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli
Dock out: 0830 Dock-in: 1150
Onboard Today
Helms: Francesco Bruni / Marco Gradoni
Crew: Andrea Tesei / Umberto Molineris
Sails Used:
MN1-1S Mainsail: 2 hours 50 minutes
J1-1-B: 1 hour
Total Tacks: 9 – 4 foil-to-foil, 2 touch & go, 3 touchdowns
Total Gybes: 13 – 10 foil-to-foil, 2 touch & go, 1 touchdown
Wind Strength: 7-9 knots (AM) 13 degrees, Sunny
Take-off speed: 16 knots at 90 degrees TWA (True Wind Angle)
New York Yacht Club American Magic
Dock out: 1129 Dock-in: 1600
Onboard Today
Helms: Tom Slingsby / Paul Goodison
Trimmers: Lucas Calabrese
Flight Control: Andrew Campbell / Michael Menninger
Power Group: Ethan / Madison / Trevor Burd
Sails Used:
AM-MN9 Mainsail: 3 hours 20 minutes
J1-5: 50 minutes
J2-5: 40 minutes
J1-6: 40 minutes
Total Tacks: 8 – 3 foil-to-foil, 4 touch & go,1 touchdowns
Total Gybes: 3 – 0 foil-to-foil, 2 touch & go, 1 touchdown
Wind Strength: 13 knots (AM) 5 knots (PM), 53 degrees, Cloudy
Take-off speed: 16 knots at 100 degrees TWA (True Wind Angle)
INEOS Britannia
Dock out: 1321 Dock-in: 1745
Onboard Today
Helms: Sir Ben Ainslie / Giles Scott
Crew: Luke Parkinson / Iain Jensen
Sails Used:
M1-1 Mainsail: 3 hours 30 minutes
J1-1: 3 hours
Total Tacks: 2 - 2 touchdowns
Total Gybes: 0
Wind Strength: 6-8 knots (pM) 12-15 degrees, Scattered cloud
Take-off speed: N/A