UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS
The eyes of the AC world were yesterday all on the new, slender anhedral port foil that Emirates Team New Zealand broke cover with for an entertaining A/B test against the standard flat foil on the starboard side. But whilst we all looked south, upstairs there may be some real innovation going on with the jib halyard system now seemingly attached to a top rack on the square-topped jib, allowing the team to change the halyard angle, moving it aft to provide more leech tension and forward when depth is required in the sail.
Is it another Kiwi innovation that is being trialled on their AC40 that is now defined as an LEQ12 as it is very much out of the strict one design that will be used for the Youth & Women’s America’s Cup events in Barcelona through 2023 and into 2024.
From the spy shots and video available in the recon cloud, it looks like the Kiwis are moving the halyard to the back end of the jib top as the breeze increases and then dropping it flush with the forestay when the de-powering is not required. It’s a relatively small adjustment but would appear highly effective particularly upwind whilst carrying the smallest J3 headsail that is used in the upper wind range and features the squared-off headboard.
And today out north of Rangitoto Island, on a short session, the established test crew of Nathan Outteridge, Pete Burling, Andy Maloney and Blair Tuke opted to not throw in the huge number of manoeuvres that they executed yesterday, preferring longer, straight-line runs as they not only A/B tested the foil profiles but also were seen getting used to the new technology upstairs. Just five tacks and six gybes were completed in the quick-fire one-hour session on the water and as the weather deteriorated, it was getting a little uncomfortable as the wave height increased to a sharp chop and gusts of 18 knots (possibly higher) were recorded by the recon team on the water.
When the boat was lifted out, the new slender anhedral port foil was missing an inspection hatch/recording device/fixing cover mounted on the foil arm just above the bulb which no doubt would have affected the data gathering and foil-flow analysis for the session. The recon unit reported that: “It was a short session with worsening weather. Boat looked very lively and skittery out north of Rangitoto in the 1m NNE swell with wind waves on top. Once in the lee of Rangitoto she became well behaved again.” The video captured showed some solid upwind sailing with stable flight but a few dunks off the breeze as the team battled with the puffy conditions.
The Emirates Team New Zealand LEQ12 is one to watch for sure, and as the defenders of the America’s Cup ramp up their testing programme, we can be sure that they’ll leave no stone unturned in their quest to retain the trophy.
The true innovators and pioneers of the America’s Cup are very much on the money at the moment. Impressive to watch. (Magnus Wheatley)
Dock-Out: 11.05 Dock-In: 12.35
Take off speed: 13 knots at 80 degrees TWA (True Wind Angle)
Total Tacks: 5 – 4 foil-to-foil and 1 touch and go
Total Gybes: 6 – 2 foil-to-foil, 2 touch and go, 2 touchdowns
Wind Strength: 10-18 knots Moderate/Rough from NNE