CHARGING BULL
On a day when Team Principal and Owner, Ernesto Bertarelli, came onboard BoatZero, the Alinghi Red Bull Racing Team put on a sailing display that to date rates as their best on the late summer waters of Barcelona.
Wind Strength (PM): 7-9 knots Wind Angle: E (PM)
Sea State: 3
Temperature: 21 degrees
Crane in: 0900 Dock Out: 1300
Dock In: 1745 Crane out: 1815
Total Tacks: 3 (Displacement)
Total Gybes: 2 (Displacement)
Estimate TWA: 90 degrees
Sails: M1- 1R with J1-3L (1 hour 50 mins).
Recon Team Notes:
Successful day for the team. Ernesto Bertarelli joined for the day, spending some time on the AC75 himself, happy with his experience and the progress of the team. Most consistent day on foils for the team, with an estimated distance of 44 Nautical miles covered. The most miles in a day so far. The team plans to keep up the momentum and sail the following day.
Wind speeds were measured with anemometer 2m above sea level. At the time of Dock Out, the wind measured 5kn from E. The wind direction remained constant but fluctuated in pressure throughout the afternoon; 5.5kn @ 14:30 , 6.5kn @ 15:00 , 4kn @ 15:50 , 7.5kn at 16:15. Sailing 14:30 - 15:05 (Displacement mode with a brief stretch 1-2 minutes of foiling at the end of the stint on starboard tack, 1 Non Foiling Tack) , Sailing 15:20 - 15:50 (Displacement mode, 1 Non Foiling Tack) , Towing 15:55 - 16:10 (Tow with both sails up, due West to find better wind down the coast. Before towing, the wind was measured at 15:50 at 4kn, as mentioned above.
We have started to notice that the wind is stronger at the limits of the city. The heat of the city at this time of year is sometimes creating a wind shield about the 2024 proposed racing area when the breeze is offshore) , Sailing 16:15 - 16:20 (Foiling, avg boat speed 30+ knots) , Sailing 16:25 - 16:40 (Foiling, 1 Foiling Tack attempt - incomplete, touch down after passing head to wind) , Sailing 16:45 - 17:00 (Foiling, 1 Foiling Gybe attempt - incomplete, touch down on new side) , Sailing 17:05 - 17:15 (Foiling, downwind, 1 Foiling Gybe attempt - incomplete, the starboard wing raised too slowly, apparently flight controller may have pressed the wrong button according to A. Psarofaghis when interviewed) . Sails down at 17:30 and tow foiling back to base.
Recon Team Observations:
Overall Report: On a day when Team Principal and Owner, Ernesto Bertarelli, came onboard BoatZero, the Alinghi Red Bull Racing Team put on a sailing display that to date rates as their best on the late summer waters of Barcelona. Long runs and stable flight out to the south near the Barcelona airport and then back along the front with several set-ups made to attempt foiling manoeuvres. None were successful but significant progress being made.
Alinghi Red Bull Racing Skipper, Arnaud Psarofaghis commented after: “We are getting better and better. We delayed a bit (going out today) because the wind window was not so good and then we had to wait a bit more on the water before we could actually sail the boat in proper conditions.”
And when questioned about foiling, Arnaud added: “It was the first time that we tried today. It was a really good day and now we need to push harder to stay on the foils. It’s a condition of boatspeed, mixing with the foils, the rotation and the sails so we need to work on this and for sure we need to improve.”
As for having Ernesto Bertarelli onboard, something that Arnaud is familiar with through the GC32 and TF35 programmes on the Swiss Lakes, he commented: “I think he was happy and for sure he’ll come back more and more.” (Magnus Wheatley)
