America’s Cup: Cyclors go sailing

INEOS Britannia’s new race boat for the 37th America’s Cup set sail for the very first time on May 1 in Barcelona, Spain. Guided by Olympic Gold medalists Sir Ben Ainslie and Giles Scott at the helm, the AC75 was the product of over two-and-a-half years with team members in the UK and Spain working on the design, construction, and development of the boat known as RB3.

While it was the first time sailing the new AC75 for all of the team, for some members it was the first time they had ever been on a foiling race boat. Since British team had retired or sold their AC75s from the 2021 Cup, four of the Cyclors have only been training on road bikes for much of the last two years. More so, four out of eight team Cyclors come from the world of Olympic rowing and are new recruits to the America’s Cup.

“After a lot of time cycling in the gym and on the roads, it was a big milestone to be out on the boat,” noted INEOS Britannia Cyclor Neil Hunter. “While our training has been cycling-focused, some of the new rowing recruits took part in sailing courses to get used to being on the water. Although the AC75 will be the first time on a foiling boat for the rowers in the team, we have the likes of Matt Gotrel, Freddie Carr, myself, and Ben Cornish in the Cyclor squad who have spent a lot of time on these boats.”

Because there is a minimum and maximum limit for both the boat and the crew, an America’s Cup cyclor must weigh between 95 and 110 kg (209-243 pounds). Since this profile in the cycling world is hard to find, rowers have proven to be of proper size with proper athletic skills.

The Cyclor program has been a collaboration between three INEOS Sport teams, INEOS Britannia, INEOS Grenadiers and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team. The eight-strong Cyclor squad has been training with top cyclists from the INEOS Grenadiers, while designers and engineers from the F1 team have helped develop the Cyclor system for the AC75.

While the 37th America’s Cup will be the second time the AC75 class race boat to be raced in the Cup, cyclors were not permitted for the 2021 competition in Auckland. But an interest to improve light air performance has reduced the number of the crew on-board from 11 to 8, with the shift from arm grinding to leg pedaling to make up the power deficit.

The full INEOS Britannia crew consists of: Sir Ben Ainslie, David ‘Freddie’ Carr, Ben Cornish, Dylan Fletcher, Matt Gotrel, Neil Hunter, Iain Jensen, Harry Leask, Leigh McMillan, Bleddyn Mon, Luke Parkinson, Matt Rossiter, Giles Scott, James Skulczuk and Ryan Todhunter.

On May 18, INEOS Britannia will officially christen RB3 at her naming event in Barcelona.

RB3 stats:
Crew: 8 (2 co-helm, 2 trimmers and 4 cyclors)
Individual parts: 120,000+
Sensors & channels: 700+
Onboard Cameras: 33 linked back to shore
Data channels: 30,000+
Estimated top speed: 50kts +
Length: 20.7m
Max Beam: 5m
Weight: 6,200 Kgs

Following the publication of the AC37 Protocol and AC75 Class Rule on November 17, 2021, the AC75 Class Rule and AC Technical Regulations were finalized on March 17, 2022. The entry period opened December 1, 2021 and runs until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup may be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the venue reveal, confirming it would be Barcelona on March 30, 2022. The 37th America’s Cup begins October 12, 2024.

Teams revealed to challenge defender Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL):
• INEOS Britannia (GBR)
• Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI)
• Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA)
• NYYC American Magic (USA)
• Orient Express Racing Team (FRA)

2023-24 Preliminary Regattas
September 14-17, 2023 (AC40): Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain
November 30-December 2 (AC40): Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
August 22-25, 2024 (AC75): Barcelona, Spain

2024 Challenger Selection Series
August 29-September 8: Double Round Robin
September 14-19: Semi Finals (Best of 9)
September 26-October 7: Finals (Best of 13)

2024 America’s Cup
October 12-21: 37th Match (Best of 13)

For more schedule details, click here.
Additionally, 12 teams will compete in the 2024 Youth & Women’s America’s Cup.

Noticeboard: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/
Additional details: www.americascup.com/en/home

Source: INEOS