No further developments from the late entry French K-Challenge. An announcement was expected in mid-late January according to an earlier announcement by the Late Entry team.
Emirates Team New Zealand - AC40-2 - Auckland - Day 3
The Kiwis switched boats for today's session sailing their second AC40 in the AC40-One Design configuration, instead of their first AC40, which is a test boat or LEQ12 running test components for the team's designers.
Auckland is in a period of onshore winds. Given the question marks over the foiling and sailability of the AC40 in rough water, it was a little surprising to see ETNZ opt to bypass the rough water and swell in the outer Rangitoto Channel (Course A and B from the 2021 Cup), and train instead in the calmer waters (no swell, just wind-chop of the landlocked Course E).
The Kiwis could be seen doing windward leeward runs and speed testing, boat handling as well as crew training, with Tokyo2020 Olympic 49er representative (JPN) and top match racer, Leonard Takahashi and Liv Mackay from the Kiwi SailGP team, on the water today.
From the AC37 Joint Recon Team:
Good three hour session mainly on the Back Paddock (AC36 - Course E). Two areas of significant wind against tide chop, both transited through. One off North Head, the other between Motuihe and Waiheke. No sail changes. Three crew rotations.
The J#3 and M#1 were both dropped just after 1400hrs to tighten loose battens, and re-hoisted at approx 1430hrs. Takeoff Comments: In the lulls with the J3 she took 20 more seconds to get up and going over 24 knots boat speed than when we had 16 knots plus wind speed.
SailComents: Good shape control, mainsail outhaul cars never at maximum travel, No flutter observed. Very good synchronisation between main and Jib leach twist control.
Session Statistics - Auckland - January 23, 2022 - Emirates Team New Zealand - AC40-1 LEQ12 - Day 11
- Wind Strength 10-22kts
- Wind Direction: NE
- Weather: Sunny in the PM, cloud cover in the AM. Temperature: 22°C
- Sea State: Moderate (PM)
- Roll Out: 0930hrs; Dock Out: 1145hrs
- Dock In: 1512hrs; Crane Out: 1555hrs
- Total Tacks: 39 - Fully foiling: 38; Touch & Go: 0; Touch Down: 1
- Total Gybes: 20 - Fully foiling: 19; Touch & Go: 1; Touch Down: 0
- Crew: Peter Burling, Nathan Outteridge (co-helms), Andy Maloney, Josh Junior, Leonard Takahashi, Liv Mackay
Alinghi Red Bull Racing - AC75 - Barcelona - January 23, 2023 - Day 38
From the AC37 Joint Recon team:
Alinghi rolled out at 07:15, sunrise at 08:15. A few systems checks before docking out, lifting foils on each side.
The team docked out and hoisted the main in the port, the jib just outside the entrance and began sailing by 10:00.
Alinghi were on the water for five hours, covering at least 45NM, all within 2.5NM of the shore.
Sail changes were made between the J1 and J2, as the team sailed long stretches along the coast without attempting many foiling manoeuvres.
The waves were disproportionately bigger for the wind strength, making manoeuvres difficult.
Hydraulic fluid was changed before rolling back in.
Session Statistics - Barcelona, Spain - January 24, 2023 - Alinghi Red Bull Racing - AC75 - Day 39
- Wind Strength: 7-10kts
- Wind Direction: NW
- Weather: Mostly cloudy 4°C
- Sea State: 3 (AM); 1mtr easterly swell
- Roll out: 0750hrs Dock Out: 0915hrs
- Dock In: 1410hrs Crane out: 1440hrs
- Total Tacks: 1; Fully foiling: 0; Touch & Go: 0; Touch Down: 1
- Total Gybes: 4; Fully foiling: 0; Touch & Go: 0; Touch Down: 4
Crew: Driving team: Pietro Sibello, Arnaud Psarofaghis, Lucien Cujean, Yves Detrey, Nicolas Charbonnier, Bryan Mettreau, Maxime Bachelin, Yves Detry
Power Team: Nils Theuninck, Nico Rolaz
This commentary was written and compiled from video, still images and statistical content extracted from the AC37 Joint Recon program and other material available to Sail-World NZ including photo files, and other on the water coverage from the 2010, 2013, 2017 and 2021 America's Cups.