Please select your home edition
Edition
Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px_cruise TOP

America's Cup: Code Zero makes re-appearance on the Waitemata

by Richard Gladwell Sail-World.com/nz 13 Jan 2020 01:54 PST 13 January 2020
Emirates Team New Zealand - Waitemata Harbour - January 13, 2020 © Richard Gladwell / Sail-World.com

Emirates Team New Zealand appeared to have a good day testing the Code Zero on their AC75, on a rare light breeze day in Auckland's windy summer.

The Code Zero is one of the conundrums of the AC75 - when it should be deployed, for how long, and what do with the large headsail when it has done its job and is no longer required.

One of ETNZ's first sails with the Code Zero in early October ended abruptly, when the tack of the sail gave way, when the tack of the sail gave way, bringing the training session to an end.

The reappearance of the bowsprit defied Kiwi media speculation over the weekend that the non-appearance of the spar, after Te Aihe's Xmas upgrade, was indicative of a new move by the America's Cup champions.

The bowsprit was missing last week, after Te Aihe resumed her testing program following the Xmas break and a development upgrade.

While it is not compulsory for teams to have a bowsprit, it is one of the items specified in the Class Rule. If not present, the boat must carry a compensating ballast weight in a specified place.

It is also unlikely that the team will run a detachable bowsprit, saving aero-drag in moderate to fresh winds when the sail and spar are redundant.

Under a Notice published last March, teams must declare their yacht's configuration for the Match, 120hrs before its start, and it must remain in that state for the duration of the Match. That brings to an end the practice, first used in 1983, of being able to mode a boat according to the weather forecast on a daily basis.

Another consequence of that rule is that teams can only measure in one set of foil wings, capable of being used in all conditions, and not switched out as the daggerboards were in the 2017 America's Cup. In Bermuda the teams had a set of high lift, high drag light weather boards which were substituted with AP (All Purpose) boards which were lower lift, lower drag - and consequently faster in moderate to fresh winds. Several times teams got caught out when the winds did not perform to forecast, and boards were used out of their range.

Often a team would lose the race - against the run of form - as happened with Artemis Racing (SWE) and Groupama Team France on Day 2 of the Challenger Selection Series. The hapless French had lost their race against ETNZ, by the length of the Final Leg on Day 1, but then led the crack Swedish team all around the course on the first race of Day 2, after the breeze fell short of their AP board's range, by a knot or three.

In the 2021 America's Cup teams will have to use a set of AP wings capable of being effective at 6-7kts through to 24kts of breeze.

Long session in light winds

Monday's session which began with the tow-out at 0900hrs and finished around 5.00pm, was plagued initially with a lack of wind which later in the morning flicked between 3-5kts, and then increasing to a more even 5-8kts later in the afternoon.

At the end of the session, Te Aihe did an impressive foiling run, across the breeze - taking just 3 secs to get foil-borne from a displacement state. That transition is likely to be one of the key points of difference in racing in the AC75 - with the competitor who is first to get foiling in light winds expected to enjoy a hefty, probably race winning advantage.

The run took place on the area in the Rangitoto Channel designated as Course B - one of five course areas nominated for America's Cup and the Challenger Selection Series (Prada Cup).

Related Articles

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
Italian PM welcomes America's Cup in Rome
Prime Minister Meloni set out a bold vision for the regeneration planned around AC38 The magnificent setting of the Casino del Bel Respiro, commissioned by Pope Innocent X in 1644, in the grounds of Villa Pamphilj, was the outstanding and historic setting for the formal presentation of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup. Posted on 26 May
America's Cup: Big changes in crew line-up
Women and Youth crews to sail in AC75 in the next Cup - Final Draft of AC38 Protocol Historic changes are proposed in the Final Draft of the Protocol released by the America's Cup Defender. For the first time a Female and Youth crew members will be part of the six-crew lineup on board the all-electric AC75s. Posted on 23 May
Exposure MarineCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERPalm Beach Motor Yachts