'A PLEASURE TO WATCH’
Emirates Team New Zealand kicked off the Christmas week of their re-vamped LEQ12 programme with a light-weather day out on the Hauraki Gulf as the north easterly breeze filled and faded all afternoon. Technique in the light is something that every team will be focussing on as the countdown to Barcelona continues and it was notable that, on occasion, to promote flight, the leeward crew could be seen crossing to windward, forward of the mast, to unload the pressure on the foil and get airborne. It’s a highly effective technique for the really marginal flying conditions and one that the Kiwis and the Italians have been using to great effect in training – and the difference is more than notriceable.
But
the sense from the recon team out on the water today was that the crew of the Emirates Team New Zealand LEQ12 had a pretty solid brief on what the designers and technicians wanted to achieve out of the session. Long runs to gather foil and sail data were clearly the call over throwing the boat around in manoeuvres as the team bridges the data gap caused by the bow damage that had them side-lined and on the back-foot for three weeks. In true Kiwi campaigning style, they turned misfortune into advantage and simply didn’t stop, working up their second AC40 which had been delivered from McConaghy’s and for the sailors, punching out valuable time in the simulator.
Today saw a change in the test-crew with Blair Tuke not on the boat in favour of the not inconsiderable frame of Josh Junior – New Zealand’s Olympic representative in the Finn Class at the Tokyo Olympics. Perhaps not the best choice for a light-weather day but the affable Josh was excited to be back on the boat saying: “For me it’s great to get out there and sail with the guys who have been doing it a lot and just see what it’s all about and how far we’ve come.” And with this being day seven of the LEQ12 programme, it was actually the first time that Josh had sailed on the boat in the current set-up as he confirmed: “Yes it was my first sail on the boat for a while and it’s great to get back out there and keep your hand in it and keep learning and see how things are progressing.”
The team started with the J3 jib up and they managed to carry that for 1 hour 45 minutes before switching up to the J1 for the remaining two and a half hours. An issue was detected with the mainsail locking system on the port side skin that caused the team to stop the session, take the mainsail down and then re-hoist with a crewmember sent aloft to check out the issue. Once flying again, it was a solid session with the recon team noting that the Kiwis were “certainly looking slick” and “were a pleasure to watch.”
The recon video captured some powerful upwind sailing with the now customary windward heel being generated by the foil cant system and also some impressive speeds through the tacks with big power-ups straight afterwards as the mainsail traveller was cranked to windward immediately post manoeuvre, fanning the sail like a foiling dinghy. The team executed 15 tacks with 10 foil-to-foil to clock a 66% success rate whilst just 7 tacks were completed with 5 in full flight – a 71% success rate. Respectable numbers in the conditions.
All in all, a productive session for Emirates Team New Zealand who look like they’ve never been away. (Magnus Wheatley)
On-Water Recon Unit Notes: Bottom of the range and below today. Flat sea. Fantastic power boat conditions. first 2 1/2 hours were very light and fluky. Two longish (5 miles approx.) tows. Leeward crew sometimes to windward on deck to try and promote flight in the light. Breeze built to about 9-10 knots for the end of the session where it dropped out on the tow back up the harbour. after 1st two tacks boat stopped and main was dropped. luff hardware was carefully inspected. Hoisted and re locked. 20 minutes downtime.
Dock out: 1300 Dock-in: 1715
Onboard Today
Helms: Nathan Outteridge, Pete Burling,
Crew: Josh Junior, Andy Maloney
Sail Used:
M1 (OD) Mainsail: 4 hours 15 minutes
J1 (OD): 2 hours 20 minutes
J3 (OD) Jib: 1 hour 45 minutes
Recon Notes: Sails looked good across the range, no leach flutter observed. Mast looked to be at the minimum rake setting
Total Tacks: 7 – 5 foil-to-foil, 1 touch & go, 1 touchdown
Total Gybes: 15 – 10 foil-to-foil, 3 touch & go, 2 touchdowns
Wind Strength: 5-10 knots (PM) 50% cloud cover. 24 degrees
Conditions: (PM): 5-10 knots NE, 30% cloud cover, 24 degrees,
Sea State: Calm
Take off speed: 13 knots at 80 degrees TWA (True Wind Angle)