America's Cup- Three AC72's sail on San Francisco Bay

by Richard Gladwell on 24 May 2013
Three AC72's sailed on San Francisco Bay today, Friday May 23. The three teams Defender, Oracle Team USA, and Challengers, Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa (ITA) sailed in moderate winds which increased during the day.

Emirates Team NZ was out for about three hours in a shakedown sail, that took place on the day scheduled several months ago. Winds were maximum speed of 16kts just four knots below the limit set for the Louis Vuitton Cup starting in July 2013. Seas were flat. Observers said there was nothing between the boats in terms of speed, most notable features were the slimness of Oracle Team USA17 and the amount of twist able to be carried in their wingsail by Emirates Team NZ.

Both points of difference only confirmed impressions from images and video obtained prior to the team's arrival.

For Luna Rossa had her first sail on Saturday (local time).

Not surprisingly, the session passed without incident.

There is no further advance on the sailing schedule for Challenger of Record, Artemis Racing (SWE).