SWISS SQUEEZE
Alinghi Red Bull Racing came out today and showed the America’s Cup world just what they’re made of, with a blistering morning session that had BoatZero flying around the waters of Barcelona at speeds in excess of 35 knots. And with the new self-tacking jib system, the result of so much work from the outstanding shore and design teams, fully operational, the team threw in their first consistent set of foil-to-foil tacks and gybes.
It was a mightily impressive display from this young Swiss team who have made no secret of the fact that they are learning on the job at full scale under an intense, all-encompassing glare and goldfish-bowl media spotlight. Today they looked supreme, flying the boat across the modes at virtual race-pace and looking more assured than we have seen them previously. The helming was precise. The trimming was accurate – particularly of the mainsail with its uniform fanning right up the leech – and the pace was high and intense all morning in near perfect 9-11 knot conditions and flat water.
The only minor incident today was when Nils Theuninck, former Swiss Finn dinghy ace who placed 11th at the World Championships in 2021, was thrown overboard in his full drysuit whilst handling the release of the tow line. He was quickly recovered by the chase boat team as BoatZero stayed clear and no injuries, other than to pride, sustained – Finn sailors are renowned as a tough breed but be in no doubt that these AC75s are not for the faint hearted.
Dock out was early to catch the morning breeze in Barcelona and the morning call was well worth it with near perfect conditions for foiling. The recon unit recorded that BoatZero’s pitch was predominantly bow down on the long runs and then through the manoeuvres there was an inevitable rise in the ride height immediately post completion as the power came on. This will just get better and better, and the team will be hoping for more consistent breeze to keep refining technique over the coming days.
Andrea Emone, one of the Performance Team that monitor the telemetry coming off the boats as well as observe the sailing style on the water commented afterwards on today’s performance, saying: “As always we ask the team to squeeze and push to the maximum, but we are taking care of our ‘baby’ and we just came back from holidays…I will check numbers and if they haven't pushed I will ask for them to push more.” No clear answer yet on the new electric self-tailing Harken winch that has been installed towards the aft of the starboard trench, but the recon unit are monitoring its use and the heavy rope marks show that this is under a lot of pressure throughout the session. Some interesting detail was spotted today too by the recon photographer of the dilets on the upper foil arm at approximately ride height whilst flying – clearly an area the designers are paying a lot of attention to.
The coming few days looks like offering a stern test for the Alinghi Red Bull Racing team with stronger breezes forecast to build in from the west but after today’s performance on the water, the sailors will be relishing the opportunity to keep pushing and answer the demands of the Performance Team.
The Bull is snorting. (Magnus Wheatley)
On-Water Recon Unit Notes: Alinghi Red Bull Racing rolled out BoatZero at 07:45, an early start to catch morning breeze, spending a total of 2hr 25min on the water before bringing the sails down and towing back to base. The team sailed well and were able to find better consistency with fully foiling manoeuvres. A small incident occurred, with Nils Theuninck falling overboard while handling the tow rope. No major injury was sustained as far as we are aware. The team aim to sail next on 17th Jan.
Onboard Today
Driving Group: Arnaud Psarofaghis, Lucian Cujean, Bryan Mettraux, Pietro Sibello, Nicolas Charbonnier, Yves Detrey
Power Group: Nicolas Rolaz, Nils Theuninck
Conditions: NW, 10:00 - 3-4kn , 11:00 - 9-11kn 0-2 knots, 12 degrees (AM) Intermittent Cloud, 13 degrees (PM) Sunny. Sea State: 2 (AM). Sea State: 1 (PM)
Sails Used:
M1 (M1-1R): 2 hours 25 minutes
J1 (J1-1R): 1 hour
J2 (J2-2L): 1 hour 25 minutes
Total Tacks: 10 – 7 foil-to-foil, 3 touch & go
Total Gybes: 5 – 2 foil-to-foil, 2 touch & go, 1 touchdown
Upwind VMG: 30 knots
Downwind VMG: 35 knots
Dock-Out: 0945 Dock-In: 1300