Please select your home edition
Edition
Rolly Tasker Sails 2023 LEADERBOARD

America's Cup - Oracle Team USA copies Kiwis and installs Bike Grinder

by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World on 9 May 2017
Oracle Team USA have fitted a cycle grinding position in the same cockpit and aft of helmsman Jimmy Spithill Javier Salinas / Oracle Team USA
With just over two weeks before the start of the America's Cup regattas, sources in Bermuda have told Sail-World that Defender Oracle Team USA have installed a Bike Grinding station on their AC50 and were trialling on the dock in Bermuda, today.

The new grinding pedestal is located in the same cockpit as helmsman Jimmy Spithill and is located immediately behind the twice America's Cup winning skipper. The US team are believed to have sailed in their standard grinding configuration later in today's session.

Tactician Tom Slingsby is expected to provide the pedal power with the other two hand-grinding pedestals remaining in place.

Emirates Team New Zealand who are located opposite the Oracle Team USA base at the Royal Dockyard in Bermuda noted on their Facebook page 'Looks like we aren't the only ones cycling anymore...'

The installation of the pedal grinding station is a big backdown from the America's Cup Defender, who after seeing Emirates Team New Zealand's four bike seats, initially claimed that they had looked at the idea of using cyclists for grinding, but had discarded the idea as unworkable.

The team cited at the time that they had arm grinders capable of producing 300 watts for 25 minutes. Many are sceptical of that claim - and particularly the duration quoted, with a few minutes being closer to the mark. Sail-World's information from a variety of sources is that cycle grinders are capable of producing almost double the wattage of the arm grinders, and for a longer duration.

Emirates Team New Zealand first revealed their four cycle grinding stations in mid-February, having worked on the project for three years and had grinders training as cyclists for 12 months.

At the time Oracle Team USA and other America's Cup teams were dismissive of the kiwi move.

'We looked at it hard, as I know all the teams did, and it's a compromise,' Spithill said. 'Nothing is straightforward.

'You can get more power on the pedal, but there's other compromises. You take windage, and it's a little harder getting on and off the pedals, so personally, I don't think that decision will be the deciding factor.

'We looked at it hard to see how it works out and they are the only team to do it so far from what we've seen. We haven't seen Artemis's boat yet, but I don't think they would have done it.

'Whether it will be a good decision only time will tell and really until we see them sailing up here in the Great Sound we won't really have any idea of where they're at.'

Clearly having seen the Kiwi cyclists in action, there has been a change of view within Oracle Team USA.

Earlier, waterfront scuttlebutt from Bermuda had it that Oracle Team USA had been trialling a cycle grinder system within their shed in the Royal Dockyard.

However, today was the first occasion on which the cyclists have been trialled albeit before sailing.

If they stay with the concept, the move is expected to have a few advantages for Oracle Team USA. Firstly it will increase the power that can be used to generate hydraulic fluid pressure - energy which drives many of the control systems on board. This should result in better foiling tacks and gybes during racing.

Secondly it will have tactician Tom Slingsby, and Olympic Gold medalist and multiple world champion in the Laser class, positioned immediately behind his skipper and more importantly, Slingsby will have his head up and facing forward, while he grinds with his legs.

The third advantage is that it gives Oracle Team USA a third grinding station, and the option of using four crew on those systems. They will also have the flexibility to put one crew member on an arm grinder to power the wingsail trimming winch, while the two forward grinders and Slingsby power the hydraulics.

Under their previous configuration, one of the two pedestals had to be dedicated to powering the wingsail trimming winch.

It is not known if the cycle-powered pedestal is just an experiment, or a permanent fixture, or if the other two arm powered grinding stations will be replaced with leg powered grinding.
North Sails Loft 57 PodcastMaritimo M600Allen Dynamic 40 Footer

Related Articles

SailingFast to provide unrivalled event support
During the WASZP Games at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy SailingFast UK is set to land in Weymouth on the 8th of July and will be on-site until the 26th of July to provide the GOLD STANDARD in event support.
Posted today at 7:00 am
2025 29er Europeans at Lake Garda Opening Ceremony
More than 500 sailors paraded through the Riva del Garda's beautiful streets The 2025 29er European Championship officially opened today in stunning Riva del Garda, hosted by Fraglia Vela Riva. More than 500 sailors paraded through the city's beautiful streets in a colorful, high-energy opening ceremony.
Posted on 2 Jul
The power of tech
What is the cost of safety? How do you measure it? More importantly, how do you appreciate it? What is the cost of safety? How do you measure it? More importantly, how do you appreciate it?
Posted on 2 Jul
Stay, play and save at the 2025 Sydney Boat Show
The ultimate indoor boating experience will take over Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park The ultimate indoor boating experience, Sydney Boat Show, will take over Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park from 14 to 17 August for the first time.
Posted on 2 Jul
Jazz Turner Faces Everything and Rises
Non-stop, solo, unassisted British Isles navigation has captivated sailors & non-sailors alike Jazz Turner's Project FEAR, her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles in her Albin Vega 27ft yacht has captivated sailors and non-sailors alike.
Posted on 2 Jul
GKSS Match Cup Sweden & Nordea Women's Trophy D3
Surprise exits in Marstrand as Quarter-Finalists decided The qualifying round-robin stages at GKSS Match Cup Sweden in Marstrand finished today with the surprise departure of defending champion USA's Chris Poole/ Riptide Racing and Switzerland's Eric Monnin/ Capvis Swiss Match Racing Team from the Open Class.
Posted on 2 Jul
Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais Day 1
Sled sparkle in Cascais' Atlantic surf to lead After seemingly being starved of boisterous top end conditions for some years now Okura's Sled crew have been relishing a return to big breezes and big waves.
Posted on 2 Jul
Freestyle Pro Tour Paros overall
The Meltemi winds once again set the stage for the final day As the riders gathered at the event site of the 2025 FPT Paros for one last time and the Meltemi winds once again began blowing strong, the stage for the final day of the event was set.
Posted on 2 Jul
Rolex Fastnet Race: Offshore classics set to race
IRC Zero has a rich seam of ocean-going history running through it IRC Zero has a rich seam of ocean-going history running through it. While French round the world race legend Jean-Luc Van Den Heede (aka VDH) isn't competing in the Rolex Fastnet Race, two of his former steeds will be on the IRC Zero start line.
Posted on 2 Jul
Four days to start the 5th AEGEAN 600
The fleet has a wide range of sizes and types represented Nearly all 60 teams are assembled here at the Olympic Marine venue getting ready for the start of the 5th edition of the AEGEAN 600, organized by the Hellenic Offshore Race Club (HORC) with co-organizers being Olympic Marine and Region of Attica.
Posted on 2 Jul