Alinghi Red Bull Racing have, to date, kept their design cards close to their chest with only small reveals of direction and thinking on the AC75 in terms of deck layout and some systems controls. What the America’s Cup world has been keen to see though is Marcelo Botin’s thoughts on foil design and today out in Barcelona, the first new Swiss foil broke cover, mounted on the team’s AC40 that now goes into LEQ12 development mode.
Unfortunately, the conditions in Barcelona were more winter than Spring today with what the recon team described as an “aggressive chop” and a very “messy sea state.” In those conditions and with new technology onboard, the Swiss opted for a three nautical mile tow test with foil designer Nico Bailey onboard and then took the AC40 back into the Port Vell base where the sail technicians jumped onboard with what is assumed to be a new mainsail for the AC40. Much attention was being paid to the battening at the head and the headboard area itself. We will wait to see it in action in the coming days.
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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