Please select your home edition
Edition
Hyde Sails 2024 - One Design

America's Cup: Driving like he stole it - Jimmy Spithill on Luna Rossa's AC75

by Richard Gladwell Sail-World NZ 4 Jan 2020 10:28 PST 5 January 2020
Luna Rossa sailing off Cagliari, Sardinia © Carlo Borlenghi / Luna Rossa

Twice America's Cup Champion, Jimmy Spithill is believed to be on the helm of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli's first AC75, when filmed sailing in rough, following seas off Sardinia.

The video was first released by SailingSardinia.it before New Year (December 29, 2019), and was apparently shot from a drone (due to the absence of chase boat wake, and elevation of the camera and proximity of the AC75).

It shows the skiff-hulled AC75 sailing very close to the water, in what is accepted as the optimum height for an AC75 (provided the windward foil arm is not making contact with the water).

As the camera tends to flatten off the appearance of the sea-state - the only way to judge the conditions is by the frequency of the breaking water. Plus the chase boat has some difficulty in holding a steady course. So it must be assumed that the sea state was substantial, and the performance of the Italian team is impressive in the conditions.

Relating the video to Auckland, and the case before the Arbitration Panel relating to wind limits for both the Prada Cup and America's Cup, the comment has to be made that this sea state could be avoided by sailing on one of the four sheltered water America's Cup course areas, allowing the AC75's to sail in stronger winds, but without the complications caused by the sea-state in the video.

There is no video of Emirates Team New Zealand's AC75 sailing in similar conditions to the Scirocco, for the simple reason that there has been very little onshore breeze, this summer, in Auckland.

On the one occasion Sail-World observed the team sailing in an 18-20kt sea breeze, the team seemed to handle the conditions well, until the publicised splashdown, caught on camera. However after a debrief and on the water check, Te Aihe headed upwind again for several minutes before turning and running downwind, in a moderate onshore sea, sailing very fast indeed, straight and steady in height, and continued the session in the relatively land-locked waters of "The Paddock".

The images below are of Emirates Team New Zealand sailing in a fresh (15-18kt) seabreeze and moderate sea, with no swell, in early November 2019.

To recap, Te Aihe was sailing well to windward, in the sea breeze, and unexpectedly nosedived into a sea, rolled to windward lifting her leeward wing clear of the water. After a debrief with the chase boat crews they headed back upwind for several minutes without any issues, tacked twice, and then took off at high speed and level flight down the Motutapu Island shoreline before gybing out and back to head for The Paddock (America's Cup Course Area E) to continue training.

Emirates Team New Zealand returning from The Paddock - December 2019

Below is some video of Te Aihe sailing upwind in an offshore (SW) breeze. The point of interest between the two boats, both have a centre skeg (Luna Rossa) and a more rounded centreline bustle (ETNZ). Both appear to do the job intended by their respective design teams - providing additional hull volume and buoyancy when immersed without slowing the boat with excessive drag.

Related Articles

America's Cup: French give the Brits the "Hurry-up
Frustration builds between Cup factions over lack of progress with Protocol. Last weekend's missive from the French America's Cup challenge team is further evidence over the building frustration with progress towards the 2027 America's Cup in Naples. Posted on 6 Jul
K-Challenge gives opinion on proposed Protocol
Why the 38th edition could usher in a new era for the America's Cup Stephan Kandler and Bruno Dubois, Co-CEOs of K-Challenge, jointly stated: “The provisional Protocol published on 23 May 2025 by Defender Emirates Team New Zealand is an important step forward for the America's Cup." Posted on 4 Jul
America's Cup: Confidential settlement reached
(Updated) A confidential settlement reached over five year Cup legal claims. Confidential settlement reached between the America's Cup team Emirates Team New Zealand and their formerly contracted Event Managers, Mayo & Calder, and others associated with the company. But what of Mainstream Media's role in the affair? Posted on 29 Jun
America's Cup - #3 Finish Line
The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. Step into the last leg. This is where legends break — or rise. Posted on 23 Jun
Cup Spy: "Burling Rule" unlikely to be changed
The Defender is unlikely to soften the Rules and allow open season on its sailing team. Despite the shift of three times America's Cup winner, Peter Burling it is understood that there is unlikely to be any softening of the Nationality rule to enable Burling to get any closer to the action than a chase-boat in the 38th America's Cup. Posted on 20 Jun
Burling "excited' by Italian move
In a media statement issued by his Media Team, Burling says he remains fully committed to his role w In a media statement issued by his Media Team, Burling says he remains fully committed to his role with Black Foils, the New Zealand SailGP Team. Posted on 20 Jun
America's Cup: Kiwis advertising for key people
Emirates Team NZ seeking new people for key roles ahead of its 12th America's Cup campaign Emirates Team New Zealand, the current America's Cup champion is gearing up for the 2027 Defence of the most prestigious trophy in sailing. The team has advertised eight positions in the IT, Meteorology and Engineering areas Posted on 12 Jun
America's Cup: Another sponsor signs for Italians
Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team and will accompany it as an official sponsor for the duration of the 38th America's Cup. Posted on 5 Jun
America's Cup fillibustered by Challengers
A Cup in turmoil - Protocol is unsigned - with entries due to open on Sunday. Updated story: America's Cup got underway in Rome on Monday, with Round 2 of the official welcoming ceremonies on Wednesday in Naples. However three teams are working in collusion and have again issued statements within minutes of each other. Posted on 29 May
America's Cup enthusiastically received in Naples
The Castel dell'Ovo, was the venue for the arrival of the America's Cup in Napes The Castel dell'Ovo, set on the tuft peninsula of Megaride was the outstanding setting for the Official Host Venue Presentation of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup. Posted on 28 May
Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px_cruise BOTTOMSwitch One DesignMaritimo M600