America's Cup - Videos from Bermuda - May 13 - New videos added

by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World NZ on 14 May 2017 Ahead of the start of the final long Practice Session the America's Cup teams were out on the Great Sound in Bermuda on Saturday, this time in lighter winds of 5-10kts.

Emirates Team NZ were notable on three fronts today - they lost a man overboard, managed to get the AC50 foiling to windward under wingsail alone (but setting a jib later in the day), and featured a new sponsor.

Oracle Team USA appear to be taking their use of cyclors to another stage, with the crew configuration changing downwind, from having four grinders working upwind, to using only three downwind. The fourth, tactician Tom Slingsby can be seen moving back behind the helmsman Jimmy Spithill and wingsail trimmer, Kyle Langford into the position in which he was spotted testing leg grinding earlier in the week.

The videos feature Oracle Tram USA, Land Rover BAR with some Groupama Team France and Emirates Team New Zealand.

The key point of interest is the differing foiling performance of the various AC50's in the light conditions. A particular point of note is Emirates Team New Zealand's 180degree foiling tack (reach to reach) about 2m 30 secs into Video 6. The AC50 has the lightest of touchdowns (if at all) during the turn. A very high proportion of the Kiwi's tacks and gybes are without touchdown.

Video 7 shows Emirates Team New Zealand sailing in light winds under wingsail alone. Apparently they have done this previously, but no-one has managed to get a photo/video. While the team's foiling performance in this configuration looks impressive, the wind angles appear to be reasonably wide (more then 90 degrees, when they tack), and the question is whether they have better VMG (Velocity Made Good) because of their faster speed which is traded-off against a lower wind angle and therefore greater distance to reach the windward mark.

For the rest of the session the sailed in a normal configuration with better wind angles and foiling performances (but also maybe a stronger breeze).

Practice Racing starts tomorrow, Monday May 15 to Friday May 19. After that there is just a two day session from May 22 to May 23, and a single day session on May 25.

Racing starts on the first day of the Qualifiers for the 35th America's Cup on May 26.

The videos are shot and produced by Jason Smith, who apparently lives on a bit of shoestring, and has put in hours every day to keep fans up to date with the latest from Bermuda. It's a big commitment. If you wish to make a donation to Jason click here

America's Cup Practice Day - May 13, 2017 - Part 1 :



America's Cup Practice Day - May 13, 2017 - Part 2 :




America's Cup Practice Day - May 13, 2017 - Part 3 :



America's Cup Practice Day - May 13, 2017 - Part 4 :



America's Cup Practice Day - May 13, 2017 - Part 5 :



America's Cup Practice Day - May 13, 2017 - Part 6 :




America's Cup Practice Day - May 13, 2017 - Part 7 :



America's Cup Practice Day - May 13, 2017 - Part 8 :