BLISTERING BULL

The team are still in the lengthy process of getting comfortable with the communications, onboard systems and boat-handling with Pietro Sibello, Sailing Adviser, overseeing everything before attempting foil to foil manoeuvres. Tacks and gybes are still in displacement, but the team are comfortable with progress and there’s a heavy concentration on technique as Florian Trüb, one of the new-breed of grinders in the power unit brought in from the sport of handball, alluded to in his interview: “Another day on the water testing different trim and different take off procedures. It was a light day but pretty good, nice sailing.”

Later in the session, the team rafted up alongside their chase-boat and went through the launch of their new J5-1R and J6-1L jibs – the two smallest in their armoury – in anticipation of stronger winds arriving over the next few weeks. These two sails are vital for de-powering and reducing drag forward as the wind increases and the team seemed pleased with what the sail loft had produced. 

After a very busy week both on and off the water for Alinghi Red Bull Racing, on Monday and Tuesday they open their base to the world’s yachting media and will be hosting them on the water, in the gym (!) and around the base. We look forward to bringing you this unique insight into the team next week. 

On-Water Recon Unit Notes

A varied day on the water, with decent stints of foiling when the wind measured above 6kn. Approximately 40 Nautical Miles covered over a 5-hour period on the water. The bay was patchy, with inconsistent breeze. The best wind was close to shore, along the breakwater south of the city, and inshore by the north coast on the border of Barcelona and Badalona. A few long stints of consistent foiling in light breeze, however no foiling manoeuvres were completed. The team made use of their time on the water when the wind died to test different jib set ups. No sailing over the weekend, next potential sailing day on Monday 17 October. (Magnus Wheatley)

Wind & Action

Wind speeds were measured with anemometer 2m above sea level. At the time of Dock Out, the wind measured 6kn from the Northeast. The wind fluctuated through the rest of the afternoon in different locations. 4-5kn @ 11:45 outside the port entrance, 7-8kn @ 12:50 South of the bay at the end of the breakwater, 4-5kn @ 14:20 outside Port Olimpic, 2kn @ 15:00 in all locations . Sailing 11:50 - 12:30 (3 Non Foiling Tacks , 1 Foiling Tack Attempt - Touch down after passing head to wind) , Towing South West 12:30 - 12:40 , Sailing 12:40 - 13:10 (1 Non Foiling Tack , 1 Foiling Tack Attempt - incomplete) , Towing SW 13:10 - 13:20 (tow line released while tow foiling but failed to continue flight) , Sailing 13:20 - 13:40 (2 Non Foiling Tacks) , Towing North 13:45 - 13:50 (tow line released while tow foiling but failed to continue flight) , Sailing 13:50 - 14:10 (3 Non Foiling Tacks). Stationary 14:15 - 14:40 (Adjustments to J1), Towing East 14:40 - 14:55 (the yacht was towed out to sea in search of better wind, however wind speeds were measured at 1-2kn, hence a turnaround), Towing West 14:55 - 15:15 (the yacht was towed back to the port entrance, where the wind measured 1-2kn. At this point, the team started to test the fit of the J5 and J6 sails). Sails down 16:10 and tow back to base in displacement mode.

Stats

Helms: Arnaud Psarofaghis, Nicolas Charbonnier, Pietro Sibello, Yves Detrey, Bryan Mettraux

Crew: Nicolas Rolaz, Arthur Cevey, Nils Theuninck, Florian Trüb, Nico Stahlberg, Théry Schir

Sea State: 2 Weather: 21º Sunny

Wind Strength (PM): 4-5 knots

Wind Direction: NE

Dock Out: 1115 Dock In: 1625