America's Cup- Oracle Racing's wingsail arrives in San Francisco

by Pressure Drop US on 13 Jun 2012
The new wingsail for Oracle Racing has arrived in USA, after being shipped from New Zealand a few weeks ago.

The Dogpatch Area of San Francisco was alive with activity today, not only with the return of the Spithill and Coutts teams, back on the water for more practice, but the long awaited arrival from New Zealand, the main wing and crossbeams of the AC 72 from Core Builders in Warkworth.

Arriving at the port of Oakland in the early morning via cargo ship the two piece leading edge of the wing were placed on one semi truck and the cross beams and strut on a second. The trip for the crossbeams was more direct, allowing them to drive over the SF Bay Bridge.

The wing component was a different matter, being too tall to fit under many structures on the Bay Area’s Bridges, the 2nd truch was forced to take the long road home, south on 880 all the way to San Jose and around the Bay and then back up 101 to Pier 80 in San Francisco.

For a full report http://www.pressure-drop.us/forums/content.php?2640-Completing-The-AC-72-Puzzle-Oracle-Racing-s-Big-Wing-Arrives!click_here

Also in this video is a sequence of one of the cross beams being unloaded.

Under the current America's Cup Protocol shrouding is prohibited, and only shrink wrapping and normal packaging are allowed, meaning that the shapes of the components are able to be seen.

Oracle Racing's first AC72 is expected to be launched around mid-July in San Francisco as will Emirates Team NZ's first AC72 in Auckland. Luna Rossa is expected to launch in September in Auckland, and Artemis will launch when they have a viable wingsail. Their first wingsail was damaged in testing, requiring substantial repair.

Video from www.pressure-drop.us to see more http://www.pressure-drop.us!click_here