America's Cup: American Magic look back on a year breaking in The Mule

The Mule with her wings off and ready for the cradle - American Magic © Amory Ross

Of the three Challengers who launched prototypes ahead of their AC75's there is little doubt that NYYC American Magic got the most value out of their 38ft prototype, The Mule.

Named after the moniker with which a development vehicle is anointed in the automobile industry, The Mule was a McConachy 38 hull adapted to replicate a half size AC75, as much as possible.

Now after almost a year of blasting around Narragansett Bay, RI and their winter base at Pensacola, FL the team is focussed on the putting in the sea trial miles in their AC75, the second to be launched and first to sail.

Here's an image gallery of The Mule making an interesting point of comparison with the AC75's we have seen so far, and the two to come later this week.

Driving Miss Daisy? American Magic's The Mule looks a very comfortable ride - photo © Amory Ross

A big foretriangleis required for the Code Zero on an AC75 - American Magic - photo © Amory Ross

The Mule capsized - yet to be seen in the AC75's - photo © Amory Ross

Foil configuration - American Magic - photo © Amory Ross

Windward wing - touchdown - American Magic - photo © Amory Ross

The high apparent wind speed of the AC75 and protypes are tough on the crew - American Magic - photo © Amory Ross

American Magic's prototype - The Mule was notable for sailing at high speed in relatively light winds - photo © Amory Ross

Checking the doungle-skinned mainsail - American Magic - photo © Amory Ross

American Magic - The Mule prepares for another training session - photo © Amory Ross

The AC75 used a different cockpit layout from The Mule - American Magic - photo © Amory Ross

American Magic - The Mule's year in review - photo © Amory Ross

The strange bow - on view of the AC75 half-model - American Magic - photo © Amory Ross

The Mule had a completely different hull shaped from the first launched AC75 for American Magic - photo © Amory Ross

The AC75 started sailing with a similar rig to that shown here on The Mule - American Magic - photo © Amory Ross

AC75 - NYYC American Magic reveals her cockpit layout which has the crew in shallower trenches than Emirates Team NZ's Te Aihe - photo © NYYC American Magic

AC75 - NYYC American Magic sailing off Newport RI - photo © Stephen Cloutier

NYYC American Magic wings, just before launch show a sharper more refined shape than earlier images - photo © NYYC American Magic

AC75 - NYYC American Magic presents an interesting profile foiling fast in light winds - photo © NYYC American Magic

AC75 - NYYC American Magic's deck layout, with rig removed, is very clean and simple - aimed at aero drag reduction - photo © NYYC American Magic

AC75 - NYYC American Magic completes a foiling gybe during an early sail in light winds - photo © NYYC American Magic