America's Cup - Oracle to begin sailing second AC45S in September
by Sail-World.com on 25 Jun 2015
Oracle Team USA sailing their first AC45S in Bermuda Oracle Team USA media
Bermudian news sources are reporting that Oracle Team USA, the defender of the America’s Cup, will launch a second foiling, wing-sail 45ft prototype catamaran in local waters in August, and sailing in September.
The boat was built in New Zealand by Core Builders Composites, in Warkworth by converting a set of existing AC45 hulls, and fitting new wider crossbeams, fitting a new foiling system and wingsail.
Grant Simmer, Oracle’s general manager, told the Royal Bermuda Gazette that the new prototype boat will be more advanced than the team’s 45ft foiler already based in Dockyard.
“We have just finished building another boat, sister ship of the boat we have been sailing, with some enhancements,” the three-times America’s Cup winner said.
“Most of that boat was built in New Zealand and it will be here mid-August and then it takes us about three weeks to do the final preparation and systems tests to get that boat sailing.
“Early in September we will be sailing both boats here, so we have been preparing and training our sailing team to be capable of sailing two boats.”
“It’s quite a big logistical exercise to sail two of these boats, not just on the water, but maintaining them, preparing them and keeping them reliable enough where you can get some good efficiency out of the sailing,” he added.
Oracle launched the first America’s Cup class catamaran in Bermuda in May and were soon followed by Artemis Racing, the Swedish America’s Cup challenger, who are the first challenger to launch an AC45 on these shores.
“It’s been a real bonus having Artemis here at the same time,” Simmer said. “So having the ability to line up with another good quality team like Artemis has been fantastic.
“We are not actually racing but lining up together and sailing in sort of a choreographed fashion that’s just been a real bonus and we have a great relationship with that team.
“I think both Artemis and ourselves are getting a lot stronger because of that relationship.”
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