GOT WINGS
It’s early days for a campaign that has persistently and admirably overcome a myriad of issues so far but Alinghi Red Bull Racing ‘got wings’ today sailing long stints out around the bay in the autumnal light of Barcelona with lift-off achieved after days of on and off-the-water drills, checks and procedures.
In a light breeze that built and faded around 8-10 knots and on relatively flat water for this part of the Mediterranean, Boat Zero came out today with its young Swiss sailors eager to experience sailing’s equivalent to life in the fast lane and an ultimate goal to rise above the waters aboard their beautifully maintained AC75. They weren’t to be disappointed.
It was a moment, perhaps THE moment for the team, and one that they surely had waited long enough to experience. Everything came together for Alinghi Red Bull Racing and now the real hard work begins in earnest in terms of relentless ongoing testing, honing technique and finding out what really makes these complex AC75s of the first-generation tick. In terms of a learning curve, Alinghi Red Bull Racing have been on the fast elevator skywards but with the guiding hands of Sailing Team Adviser Dean Barker (formerly of American Magic) onboard today and overseeing everything from the crane in onwards, the team quickly came together.
The unmistakeable frame of Barker was astern, helmeted, plugged into the comms and guiding designated skipper Arnaud Psarofaghis and the team through a multitude of boat-handling phases. Displacement mode was far more aggressive as the Swiss pushed to hit lift-out speeds and noticeably the whole team were performing at a high level, pushing harder and with growing confidence. Interestingly, Psarofaghis leads very much from the front and is into the detail immediately once the boat is launched, helping with the sails, checking the electronics, diving down below, corralling the team, pushing hard – it’s inspirational to watch – but with Barker onboard there’s a different air and the deepest of experience to call upon.
The double-skinned mainsail launching was so much slicker than we’ve seen before with the sail set dockside and raised at 13.55 with the boat sailing underway just ten minutes later. The big J1 jib was the obvious call and again this was prepared on the deck at the dock.
Starting in displacement mode the team ran through their processes and communications and went through one non-foiling tack before a stint that saw them foil in low mode towards the end ahead of a brief interlude. Then came a most impressive 35-minute session with consistent flight time and just one non-foiling tack. By 16.15 the call was made and sailing was concluded, sails lowered and the tow home began.
Sailing at times over five miles out from the shoreline in search of the most stable winds, Alinghi Red Bull Racing’s long runs were all part of the phased ‘step-by-step’ approach that the team is employing as Psarofaghis stated: “our concentration was on finding the balance and the moment when we could foil rather than manoeuvres today.” And finding that bite point seemed easier on starboard tack with the anhedral American Magic foils over the flat foils on the port side but on both tacks the flight control and helmsmen were working hard to find the optimum for low flight and balance. “It was a useful day in the development of the team. A good day for us,” commented Psaforaghis afterwards and “really nice to get the boat foiling for everyone that has worked really hard in the team.” Shoreside the mood was one of positive energy with the team energised by their day’s work. (Magnus Wheatley)
The Bull’s got wings.