Cup Spy - May 27: Emotional reunion for Luna Rossa. Kiwi session marred by breakdown
by Richard Gladwell Sail-World NZ 27 May 20:23 PDT
28 May 2023
Amerigo Vespecci and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli - LEQ12 - Day 64 - May 27, 2023 - Cagliari, Sardinia © Ivo Rovira / America's Cup
Two teams sailed on Saturday May 27.
Luna Rossa sailed from Cagliari. Emirates Team New Zealand intended to sail in a two boat session, but did some damage believed to be electronic related, and the session stopped early. Predictwind announced to provide the Common Weather Program in Barcelona. Some action expected between the two Red Bull Racing teams this coming week as the F1 and America's Cup teams work up in Barcelona .
What happened in the Cup - May 27, 2023:
- Luna Rossa sailed from Cagliari.
- Emirates Team New Zealand started sailing in a two boat, but did some damage believed to be electronic related, and the session stopped early.
- Alinghi Red Bull Racing did not sail.
- INEOS Britannia did not sail
- American Magic, last sailed on March 10, and is packing out to make the move to their permanent base in Barcelona. No update on their request to be excused from competition in Jeddah in the second Preliminary Event.
- Predictwind announced to provide the Common Weather Program in Barcelona - already under way and publicly visible.
- No further news from the Orient Express Team (formerly K-Challenge).
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli - LEQ12 - Day 27 - May 27, 2023 - Cagliari
From the AC37 Joint Recon Team - Michele Melis:
The Italian LEQ12 rolled out at 11:00 and the yacht was craned in by 11:20, the usual protocol checks followed and dockout was scheduled at 12:15 to catch some afternoon seabreeze, looking promising considering the hot summer temperatures.
On this day the team planned an emotional reunion at sea with the Amerigo Vespecci, renowned training ship of the Italian navy.
When the prototype was being towed out of the harbour, the seabreeze was filling in nicely and the RU anemometer displayed 11-13kn southerly seabreeze. The mainsail M1 was hoisted with the J2 and the yacht was all set by 12:45.
The LEQ12 was boarded by six sailors at first which then swapped occasionally hosting several guests on the joyrides seats during the session. Similar to routine sailing day, the Italian LEQ12 was up and foiling on portside tack after a smooth self take with a light initial pull by chase2. At first, the prototype sailed mostly straight line for testing with a minimal number of maneuvers towards Sarroch before bearing away towards Cagliari and coming to a stop.
On an upwind course, perhaps close reach/hauled, boat speeds of 34-36kn have been recorderd while after the quick bear away, AC37 Joint Reconnaissance Team (RU) chase could keep up with 39-41kts on broad reach. Within this break, the sailors debriefed and had lunch before sitting back in the pods and being towed up by Chase-2.
Once up and foiling, the LEQ12 tacked bear-away and headed towards the Amerigo Vespucci for several flybys followed by the helicopter. Several guests from the Amerigo Vespucci boarded chase1 and some had the chance to board the joyride seats for some sailing.
Afterwards the pods hosted only sailors and the LEQ12 performed some more straight line, several maneuvers, two boards time and aggressive bear-always before trimming back up. Then the team called it a day as the prototype sailed near the harbour and came to a stop at 15:30.
For the day, a total foiling time of 91 out of 205 minutes with 12 tacks, 10 gybes [Michele Melis AC Recon].
Session Statistics: Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli - LEQ12 - Day 27 - May 27, 2023 - Cagliari
- Weather: Sunny 24°C
- Wind Strength 9-14kts
- Wind Direction: S-SSE
- Sea State: Beaufort 4
- Roll out: 1120hrs Dock Out: 1215hrs
- Dock In: 1540hrs Crane out: 1700hrs
- Total Tacks: 12 - Fully foiling: 9; Touch & Go: 2; Touch Down: 1
- Total Gybes: 10 - Fully foiling: 8; Touch & Go: 2; Touch Down: 0
Crew: Francesco Bruni, Marco Gradoni, Jimmy Spithill, Andrea Tesei Umberto Molineris
Emirates Team NZ - LEQ12 - Day 27 - May 27, 2023 - Auckland
From the AC37 Joint Recon Team [Alastair Moore AC-Recon]:
Another two boat day with both the LEQ12 and the AC40 rigged and in the pen by 10.
Just outside the basin the J3 and M2 were bent on and she was off chase and sailing to windward down the harbour at 11.03. Off Orakei she came to a stop near some 29ers for what looked like some coaching tips. Sailing again after 5 minutes the LEQ12 in company with the AC40 ripped north out the Rangitoto channel on Starboard at full pelt. After a couple of zig zags she came to a stop by Rangitoto Light, here the chase came alongside and what looked like 5-7 weighted bags were put down below through the forward hatch. She was sailing again at 11.28.
Try as we might Adam and I had no chance of keeping up with the yacht after this. The sea state out side Rangitoto channel was large enough to keep our maximum speed below 30 knots. Just enough to stay in touch up wind but got completely outdone down wind. Even the much larger chase one was struggling at times to keep up.
Adam and I positioned ourselves where we thought the start line would be set but the yachts moved up into the Rangitoto channel with the AC40 continuing on into the Motukorea channel. The LEQ12 came to a stop at 12.08 in the Rangitoto channel and doused her "canvas".
On the dock after this session I learned there had been an issue on the one design foil on the LEQ12 which stopped their day early. No one would be drawn on mechanical/electrical/impact fault.
Both boats back at base by 13.00
Session Statistics - Emirates Team NZ - LEQ12 - Day 27 - May 27, 2023 - Auckland
- Weather: 23°C 20% cloud cover, Sunny
- Wind Strength: 14-17kts
- Wind Direction: NE
- Sea State: Chop
- Roll out: 1222hrs Dock Out:
- Dock In: 1241hrs Crane out: 138hrs
- Total Tacks: 38 - Fully foiling: 36; Touch & Go: 2; Touch Down: 0
- Total Gybes: 36 - Fully foiling: 34; Touch & Go: 2; Touch Down: 0
Crew: (LEQ12) Nathan Outteridge, Peter Burling, Louis Sinclair, Blair Tuke (AC40) Josh Junior, Leo Takahashi, Sam Meech, Marcus Hansen
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. Its format is intended to give Sail-World readers a snapshot of all teams' progress on a given day or period.