Please select your home edition
Edition
Selden 2020 - LEADERBOARD

America's Cup Rialto: August 7 - American Magic circuit trains in the Paddock

by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com/NZ 8 Aug 2020 14:35 NZST 8 August 2020
American Magic - under tow - heads for Tamaki Strait with Browns Island in the background - Auckland - August 7, 2020 - 36th America's Cup © Richard Gladwell / Sail-World.com

American Magic's Defiant left their base around 1030hrs on a fast 10nm foil-borne around for another training session out on Course E - between Eastern Beach and Waiheke Island, otherwise known as "The Paddock".

The breeze was offshore, flicking around 15-20kts and quite variable in pressure. Later in the afternoon Auckland was hit by a forecasted 30kt front gusting over 40kts - which arrived after Defiant arrived back at the Wynyard Marina. The sharp increase in wind highlights the need for good forecasting and keeping an eye on the sometimes rapidly changing situation, typical of the Auckland winter.

Generally sailing conditions were good, with flat seas, and the team did a series of windward leewards around a couple of laid marks.

From the shore it looked to be a good session, but it was hard to pick up the dry tacks and gybes without reviewing an image stream. That exercise did show that while many look at video and call a dry tack or gybe a few metres after the maneuver hits the new sailing angle. But as was evident today, and has been seen many times before with ETNZ, the AC75 can touchdown 12-15 seconds or more into the exit phase.

The timings (off the camera and not a stopwatch) are as follows: from the first shot to the second (foiling fast to both foils immersed) is 26 seconds. From the second shot to the third (head to wind) is three seconds. From that head to wind position to the final shot the time taken is 15 seconds - which is not a tragedy in itself - but illustrates that a dry tack is not completed at Position 4. The sink at Position 5 can be attributed to a number of reasons given that the usual role of the rudder wings are to develop downward pressure. However the rudder box can be controlled for fore and after as well as athwartships movement.

From a distance the scow hull looked to struggle a little getting clear, and often went bow-up if they ran out hit a soft sport in the breeze. While the skiff shape tends to use its bustle volume to get some immediate hull support, and then climbs away. It may be that the increased wetted surface of the scow creates more drag and slows the recovery process. In its favour the scow shape forms a much better endplate effect between the hull and water surface.

Certainly in the photos on this page of the stern/bow sections of both the scow (Defiant) and stern section of the skiff (Te Aihe) highlight the difference between the two genres.

Unfortunately the overcast sky, poor light and offshore distance affected long range photography at The Paddock.

We will have a better idea next week, when it is expected that both AC75's Te Aihe and Defiant are out on the same patch of water.

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
Navico NZ Zeus3S FOOTERRooster 2025V-DRY-X