America's Cup: Swiss say they will be ready to race after dismasting on Tuesday
by Alinghi Red Bull Racing/Sail-World.com 20 Aug 2024 23:27 PDT
Alinghi Red Bull Racing- AC75 - Barcelona - August 20, 2024 © Alinghi Red Bull Racing
Alinghi Red Bull Racing have issued an update on their dismasting on Tuesday.
The team say they had been using the mast for just 20 minutes, indicating that it was a new racing spar.
"We were sailing upwind in a beautiful breeze of 13 or so knots and all of a sudden, the mast came down," the Swiss team's commentary says.
"The crew very quickly and professionally responded to get the mast and boat separated and retrieved the sail to get the boat towed back in.
"Today the team demonstrated what a competent crew they are. When we got back to shore, we were welcomed by the whole team. Everybody pulled together to bring all the parts back to base. BoatOne is back in the shed with just a few scratches. Most importantly, nobody onboard was hurt. So, despite this setback, our spirits are still up."
Next the update traverses the history that there have been "two mast failures on BoatOne. Isn’t that strange?"
"Yes," the team said responding to their own question.
"The events that occurred today were definitely surprising, particularly given the mild conditions. No signs of overload were observed on the mast, which was newly acquired and had been in use for just 20 minutes. This one-design mast replaced the previous one, which had been in place for only a few hours before failing.
"Each failure occurred in a very similar manner, and on both occasions, all load sensors indicated that the stress levels were well within acceptable limits. To be in this situation again certainly raises some legitimate questions with regard to what happened to the masts’ structural integrity. It’s a matter that needs to be looked at very closely, but for now, we’re leaving the investigation to the experts."
[S-W: While the external dimensions of the AC75 mast is a controlled one design shape/dimensions. However like most similar class rules there is a minimum laminate specified to which the team designers can add if they believe it is necessary, and depending on what their structural testing is telling them. No other teams have broken AC75 masts either in the current America's Cup or the 2021 edition, and all the training/testing in between.]
Looking forward the team says "the course of our programme has not changed. We are focused on racing. We may have lost a mast, but we haven’t lost the race. We have another rig that has successfully sailed over the past months, so tomorrow we will have BoatOne back in racing condition ready for dock out at 13h00. We’re not a team that gives up, and we invite everyone to our dock out tomorrow to see firsthand what Alinghi Red Bull Racing is made of.
Join us tomorrow, Wednesday 21st August, at Plaça de l'Odissea just before 13:00 to watch BoatOne’s dock out and show your support for Alinghi Red Bull Racing!"