Think Moths, then think a mindblowing 72 foot foiler

by Sail-World.com Team on 11 Oct 2012 Perhaps sailing is never going to be the same again. With their AC72 firmly on the foil, Emirates Team New Zealand have been handed a very significant victory by the International Jury for the 34th America's Cup.

In a decision dated October 7, 2012, the Jury has ruled on an application lodged by the New Zealand team on September 24, 2012.

It is that foiling ability which appears to be at the heart of the very intricate rules interpretation given by the International Jury.

The simple question centred around whether an AC72 had to be presented in her measurement condition, with the daggerboards raised or lowered.

Daggerboards produce positive flotation when lowered, and it had been calculated that if the AC72 was measured (for MC), with the daggerboards in the lowered position then the volume of the daggerboards could be no more than 225 litres - which is quite minimal for hydrofoiling, and would make flight more difficult.

By being able to measure the AC72 with bigger daggerboards, designed to allow the AC72 to hydrofoil more easily, and for those daggerboards to be raised - therefore not affecting the MC calculation to the same extent, Emirates Team NZ have gained a significant advantage over teams who have opted for smaller daggerboards in the lowered position.

It might seem all very esoteric and you can read Richard Gladwell’s full analysis but the fact is, the 2013 America’s Cup is going to be very much about high speed foiling and when you think what a foiling moth can do, just think about the speeds that will be achieved with the sail area of an AC72.

We can hardly wait until the main game next year, but meanwhile we continue to get great reports from San Francisco and we welcome you all along for the ride.

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