Cup Spy Dec 20-21: Italians back in business - Kiwis clock off for 2023 - French update
by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World NZ 23 Dec 2023 02:46 PST
21 December 2023
Luna Rossa - LEQ12 Protype - Day 106 - December 20, 2023 - Cagliari, Sardinia © Job Vermeulen / America's Cup
What happened in the Cup - December 20 - 21 , 2023:
- Alinghi Red Bull Racing - Have not sailed since December 14, when they had four days testing in their AC75 - after their return from Jeddah. They wrapped up their time on the Red Sea with a couple of days training in their two AC40s after the second Preliminary Event on the weekend prior.
- Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli - Suffered a compression crack in the port topside of their LEQ12 on Tuesday, December 4. The repair was completed after a solid effort by their shore/building crew and the team recommenced training on Wednesday December 20. Today was their second session in the LEQ12 test platform, sailing today in a fresh breeze and what looked to be a productive test session. That was marred to some extent with a regulation capsize as the tow line was being hooked up, and the LEQ12 demonstrated once again the ability of the 40ft foilers to perform a slow speed capsize when stationary, and they get on the wrong side of the breeze. Unfortunately this particular instance took about 30 minutes to recover. There was no apparent damage or water ingress to mechatronics - but the accuracy of that statement will probably not known for a week or so - when the team resume training. The interviews with Max Sirena and Francesco Bruni are quite revealing - with the full video versions of each in this report on Day 106 and 107 for the Italian team
- American Magic - Have sailed for six days from Barcelona in their AC75. There have been some modifications as they step up for the launch of their AC75 race boat in May 2024. They had their last sail for 2023 on Tuesday.
- Emirates Team New Zealand - Have been test sailing for four days, out of Auckland in their LEQ12 since winning SailGP Dubai and the second America's Cup Preliminary Regatta in Jeddah. The team is expected to resume sailing on January 15, 2024. While a couple of the Challengers have nominated May 2024 as the launch date, in Barcelona, for their AC75 raceboat, the Defenders have not done so, and obviously with today being the longest day of the year, days and testing time/conditions can only reduce, while the available daylight time increases for the Barcelona based teams.
- INEOS Britannia - Have had rudder/rudder box issues for the second time in mid-November, but are expected to be switching to a twin AC40 program, to sail post Xmas.
- Orient Express Racing Team - Competed in the SailGP Dubai in the first week of December, placing 4th overall. Their AC75 raceboat will be delivered in May 2024. We have a more detailed review of their 2023 year at the end of this report.
AC37 Joint Recon Team Reports:
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (LRPP) - LEQ12 - Day 107 - December, 21 2023 - Cagliari
The LRPP team rolled out the LEQ12 prototype at 08:30hrs, stepped mast and craned the yacht in by 08:45hrs.
The appendage configuration remained equal to Day 106. After running the usual FCS (Foil Control System), flap, rudder rake checks, the sailors proceeded with the sail control checks and M2-1 was placed on board before dockout, scheduled for 09:30hrs.
Six crew members boarded the LEQ12 which was towed out of the harbour to fully hoist M2-1 with the J4-1.
Once again the offshore pressure seemed quite shifty, measured from 335° 14-16kts just before sailing started. As the LEQ12 was towed up, it sailed on port tack for a short upwind, tacked to starboard and bore away for a longer downwind run executing some gybes.
As soon as the boat seemed working well, Chase-2 laid out the usual windward and leeward gate for some race laps. In the first foiling stint the LEQ12 sailed approximately six legs with two prestart drills, killing time around the leeward gate.
As the LEQ12 came to a stop, sailors seemed to debrief shortly before the LEQ12 was towed back up to proceed with some quick starts and additional six laps around the course.
It seemed that the LEQ12 was brought hullborne to practice a self take off after a short tow to accelerate the yacht and, once up, additional four laps were observed before Chase-2 recovered one mark at the time giving the LEQ12 still a target to point.
Overall the boat looked fast in higher range breeze and around the marks where the team seemed to focus especially on clean execution of all kinds of mark maneuvers.
During the last foiling stint, the LEQ12 bore away on the last standing windward mark and headed for a long downwind run before trimming up and heading closer inshore close to the gusty harbour gate.
While coming to a stop, the windward board was dropped and just when the tow line was being passed a gust seemed to heel the yacht to port and a capsize followed.
The team employed both chaseboats to right the yacht and this procedure took approximately 30 minutes counting several attempts in the gusty breeze as per videos documented. (Unfortunately shots are oblurred due to wet lenses.)
The team finally docked in at 12:50hrs with 94 minutes foiling time, 26 tacks and 24 gybes.
[Michele Melis AC Recon].
Crew: Marco Gradoni, Francesco Bruni, Umberto Mollineris, Vittorio Bissaro
Session Statistics: Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (LRPP) - LEQ12 - Day 107 - December, 21 2023 - Cagliari
- Weather: Sunny 15°C
- Wind Strength 14-17kts
- Wind Direction: 325°-335°
- Sea State: Mostly flat
- Crane In: 0830hrs Dock Out: 0930hrs
- Dock In: 1250hrs Crane out:
- Total Tacks: 26 - Fully foiling: 23; Touch & Go: 2; Touch Down: 1
- Total Gybes: 24 - Fully foiling: 19; Touch & Go: 5; Touch Down: 0
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (LRPP) - LEQ12 - Day 106 - December, 20 2023 - Cagliari
After two weeks spent in the shed [S-W: On hull deck repairs], the Italian team Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli rolled out their repaired LEQ12 prototype at 09:10hrs, stepped mast and spent some time perhaps checking forestay load before craning the yacht in by 09:25hrs.
On the appendage configuration: Wing01 was mounted on starboard, wing04 on port while some mods on rudder with shorter blade and different elevator, more detailed shots will be taken in the next sailing day. The damaged deck has been repaired or perhaps substituted, challenging to spot any significant difference.
After running the usual FCS (Foil Control System), flap, rudder checks, the sailors proceeded with the sail control checks and M1-1 was placed on board before dockout, scheduled for 10:30hrs. Six crew members boarded the LEQ12 and the yacht was towed out of the harbour to fully hoist M1-1 revealing a gratitude sticker for the shore crews work [S-W: on the afore mentioned repair].
The pressure seemed quite shifty over the day, at first measured from 320° 9-11kts as the team started hoisting the J1.5. However, once fully hoisted, the jib halyard seemed to not lock and the team dropped it back down, hoisting instead the J2-2 as the pressure went along increasing to 12-14kts from 320°. Before the sailing action started several checks seemed to be done on the jib tack and below deck.
Finally, at 11:18hrs the LEQ12 sailed for approximately five minutes with a tow-to-fly take off on port tack towards the shore, tacked and bore away heading downwind for a short distance before trimming up again and stopping. Shore crew jumped on board, including structural professionals going below deck with equipment. In the meanwhile, the pressure had shifted to the right with 345°T and 12-14kts. Once the shore crew gave the go, the LEQ12 was towed back up and a similar short sailing routine followed by some upwind and downwind straight line runs. Once Chase2 started laying some marks, the LEQ12 changed protocol and started running through a quick series of upwind tacks followed by gybe series downwind. Overall the boat seemed occasionally heeled more then usual while different pitch angles seemed to be flied, perhaps also due to the new rudder configuration and getting a grip on it.
The first foiling stint lasted approximately 30 minutes, starting with what seemed to be a start practice without entering the virtual box two minutes in advance followed by some laps. After a quick debrief by sailors, the pressure decreased slightly to 10-12kts and the second foiling stint began with a self take off and sailing around the marks for some laps ending with a splashdown entering the tack manoeuvre.
An additional third short foiling stint was observed with additional two legs around the marks before the LEQ12 came to a stop at 13:00hrs. Pressure was then measured 13-16kts from 340° and hence the J2-2 was lowered to hoist the J4-1.
During the last foiling stint, the LEQ12 sailed two laps around the mark and practiced another prestart routine before the gates were removed and some freestyle sailing was observed heading toward base. As the wind was ramping up above upper range, the LEQ12 dropped the windward board after a last virtual round up, sails were lowered and the day was called with 98 minutes foiling time, 25 tacks and 19 gybes
[Michele Melis AC Recon].
Crew: Marco Gradoni, Francesco Bruni, Umberto Mollineris, Vittorio Bissaro
Session Statistics: Luna Rossa - LEQ12 - Day 106 - December 20, 2023 - Cagliari
- Weather: Cloudy 20°C
- Wind Strength 9-16kts
- Wind Direction: 320°-335°
- Sea State: Mostly flat
- Crane In: 0930hrs Dock Out: 1030hrs
- Dock In: 1405hrs Crane out: 1530hrs
- Total Tacks: 25 - Fully foiling: 21; Touch & Go: 2; Touch Down: 2
- Total Gybes: 19 - Fully foiling: 16; Touch & Go: 3; Touch Down: 0
Emirates Team New Zealand - LEQ12 - Day 51 - December 20, 2023 - Auckland
With a 12pm dock out and the normal crew of Pete, Nathan, Blair and Andy, ETNZ hoisted the M2-3 mainsail set and J2-2 Jib which would be used for the entire session today.
After hoisting off the Viaduct Harbour, ETNZ warmed up by sailing a few different reaching and downwind angles down the harbour before turning around North Head and heading upwind toward Tiritiri Matangi. Again, like yesterday, the breeze was from the NNE however, with a few more clouds in the sky today, we saw a much later breeze build and subsequently much lighter sailing session.
After passing Rangitoto Lighthouse, it was obvious the breeze was getting lighter and eventually the team were not able to achieve a full foiling tack and touched down. They hooked up the tow and upwind foil tow started to continue training. Now they sailed around in a small patch of water to utilise the small amount of pressure in this area just off Takapuna. A few different angles were briefly tested but mostly they were just trying to stay foiling. Again, they eventually came off the foils through a tack and struggled again to take off.
At 13:13hrs they decided to take a little break and in the meantime the breeze started to fill to around 9-10 knots through the Rangitoto Channel below the Rangitoto Light House. The team hooked up the tow after a short break at 13:37hrs. They tow foiled downwind towards the building pressure in this zone before releasing just north of Rangitoto Lighthouse. Here is where the session really started.
Unlike yesterday, where a lot of emphasis was being put on tacking, today we saw many gybes. Again nothing too extreme was being tested, just smooth locked in modes and fairly standard ride heights and heels. It seemed the team were working a lot on smooth foil entries into the gybes, timing through manoeuvres, and speed and acceleration out of each manoeuvre. The team sailed multiple upwinds and downwinds between North Head and Rangitoto Light House nailing some very light air manoeuvres.
Finally, at 14:23hrs the team turned for home, rounding North Head and reaching back up the harbour towards the base for the last session of the year.
All in all it was a good bottom range session to end the year, and the team looked happy with everything they have accomplished up to this point. We are however, looking forward to next year and believe we may see a few new mods and/or gear being launched on the LEQ12.
We were lucky enough to speak with Peter Burling after today’s session to ask a few questions and get a feeling of how this pre Christmas test period has been for the team.
Crew:
Peter Burling, Nathan Outteridge, Andy Maloney, Blair Tuke
Session Statistics: Emirates Team New Zealand - LEQ12 - Day 51 - December 20, 2023 - Auckland
- Weather: 23° C Sunshine
- Wind Strength: 9-15kts
- Wind Direction: NNE
- Sea State: 0.2mtr
- Crane In: 1050hrs Dock Out: 1200hrs
- Dock In: 1535hrs Crane out: 1605hrs
- Total Tacks: 54 - Fully foiling: 53; Touch & Go: 0; Touch Down: 1
- Total Gybes: 24 - Fully foiling: 24; Touch & Go: 0; Touch Down: 0
Media Update from Orient Express Racing Team:
It has been quite a year for the French Challenger for the 37th America’s Cup. Being the last to challenge, events have unfolded throughout 2023 at quite a pace!
First came the team launch in February which was made possible by the happy announcement of title partner, Orient Express part of the Accor Group and member of All.com.
Next the Youth and Women’s America’s Cup squad selection process kicked off in May with a first round of trials held in Quiberon, France. July saw the team move into its new base in Barcelona, and then the Challenger sailing squad announced with some familiar faces in the ranks and some new athletes with some interesting (and non-sailing) sporting profiles!
Still waiting for the AC40 to be delivered from New Zealand, the team spent many hours onboard the simulator developed by chief designer Benjamin Muyl and his team.
The valuable hours invested paid dividends in August when the sailors took delivery of their foiling one-design boat and after only 12 days of sailing were thrown in at the deep end in Vilanova i la Geltrú for the first of three pre-regattas against the other challengers and defender of the America’s Cup. The French team surprised everyone showing real pace around the racecourse and winning their first ever race on an AC40 on the first day of racing in September.
They went on to finish the regatta on the podium in third place overall – an amazing result for the team.
Just a day later, L'Oréal Groupe announced its official sponsorship of the French challenger, also joining names with Orient Express for the Youth and Women’s America’s Cup teams that will carry the name Orient Express-L’Oréal Racing Team. With the YWAC selection process continuing in the background, and the Challenger squad getting as much time on the water and on the simulator as possible, November and the second pre-regatta was soon upon the team as it headed to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.
Dogged by technical issues for their second outing, the team managed to post some good results and most importantly gained valuable learning experience on their path to the America’s Cup.
The team received a major boost at the end of November with the public announcement by French President Emmanuel Macron of his official patronage of the Orient Express Racing Team during a keynote speech at the Assises de l'économie de la Mer conference in Nantes. This further deepened a relationship that began with a partnership agreement between the Secretary of State for the Sea and the team that was signed in September, and which puts decarbonisation of the maritime sector at the forefront of the French campaign – at the heart of this is the research and development of the Hydrogen boat that will be used during the America’s Cup event in Barcelona in 2024.
December brought the long-awaited announcement of the Youth and Women’s America’s Cup squads and an exciting collaboration with the innovative world leading water provider Saur Group to help preserve water resources during the America's Cup in Barcelona.
2024 will bring much training and testing on the newly converted AC40/LEQ12 in Barcelona, the launch of our new AC75, a third pre-regatta, and then the America’s Cup competition itself with the Louis Vuitton Cup (Challenger Selection Series), Youth and Puig Women’s America’s Cup events and the 37th America’s Cup Match.
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.