Alinghi Red Bull Racing closed out their April sailing on Thursday with a near five-hour session in BoatZero, the team’s AC75, in marginal conditions right along the Barcelona waterfront. Modifications have been made to the boat since its relaunch after the rudder tower structural failure back at the end of March and it’s no secret that the team have struggled for consistency on the replacement rudder since.
Arnaud Psarofaghis and Maxime Bachelin steered like banshees particularly offwind, driving BoatZero hard and getting better and better on the hand-over transitions – not easy when the windward board pulls the bow down through every manoeuvre.
These two sailors are forming a compelling partnership whilst also welcoming and promoting Nicolas Rolaz, the hard-driving former Optimist World Champion and the youngest member of the team, into what the Swiss call the ‘Driving Group’ to join the likes of Nicolas Charbonnier, Bryan Mettraux, Yves Detrey and Lucien Cujean. From this group, the ultimate Helmsmen and Flight Controllers will be selected, and Alinghi Red Bull Racing will be ruthless in their selection to find the fastest and most co-ordinated unit, capable of handling the pressure of the America’s Cup.
In interview afterwards Nicolas Rolaz commented: “I’m feeling great you know, it’s a great opportunity that the team gave me, there is a lot of trust, and it really was a long process, but I think it’s a good decision. I’m really happy about that, it’s a new challenge, the goal remains the same: it’s to win the Cup – but in a different way for me now, so very good. “
Section 41. Reconnaissance
a) As a campaign cost reduction measure, COR/D has mutually agreed to cooperatively implement a centralised reconnaissance programme for all teams for the reconnaissance of all Competitors’ AC75 Yachts, AC40 Yachts and LEQ12 yachts including both on-land and on-water imagery (the “Joint Recon Programme”).
b) Each team is assigned a two-person Recon Unit to follow their every on-water move, but it’s not that simple. The cameras are supplied and identical for all Recon Units. Drones are not allowed, and they can’t get that close, plus following a boat and keeping a camera steady at 45 knots isn’t that easy to begin with.
c) A three minute interview follows each on water day, and teams must answer the Recon Unit’s questions while trying not to give too much away. It’s a raw, unedited view of the never before seen behind-the-scenes development of a team and their boat to win the oldest trophy in international sports.
#AC37Recon #AmericasCup #Barcelona2024
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