America’s Cup: USA reveals innovations

Barcelona, Spain (May 8, 2024) – A day after the New York Yacht Club American Magic team first lowered their new AC75 Patriot into the Barcelona waters, the sailing team was given the go to start pressing their new ride to begin the learning process.

Co-helm Tom Slingsby noted how yesterday was about fitting sails and tow-testing, with about a 5-10 minute sail at the end of the day, while today the focus was more on sailing to check the systems and loads.  “It wasn’t long before we were allowed to sort of go start doing maneuvers and get into it…the boat felt pretty locked-in so our flight control system seemed pretty nice and full manual with the cyclors as well so that’s encouraging.”

Whereas all the teams have switched from hand to leg grinding, the USA boat has opted for recumbent cyclors, which has the rider in a laid-back reclining position, but also facing aft rather than forward.

“They can’t really see much if I’m honest down there, down in their holes, but I’m sure every team made the decision between going recumbent or upright and we think that the numbers support being recumbent and we were a bit surprised that other teams didn’t come with us on that.

“Obviously we take a bit of an aero gain by getting everyone lower and maybe a small power hit but on the numbers we’re seeing we thought this was a way to go for us.”

And speaking about the novel side-by-side helm and trimmer pods, Slingsby was pleased with how the idea is working. “Having your trimmer right next to you instead of directly behind you it’s quite nice you can see what they’re doing and you can be chatting and you can tap them on the shoulder and point instead of people behind you so it’s a bit different but yeah we think from everything we’re seeing it seems pretty good.”

Observers have noted how Patriot has an F1 style steering wheel. “It’s just a steering wheel with a different shape that we came up with, with buttons which are a bit easier to hit than a round wheel,” Slingsby explained. “We tested it a lot in the AC40s and it seemed to work well in the AC40 so we thought we’d put it on here.

“From the wheel I can control all sorts of things: I can control the traveller, the mainsheet, cant control, the foils on each side, the jib, yeah probably pretty much anything you can really control from that. There’s a few things that you can’t obviously but I’ve got access to everything. I don’t press that much, that often, but I guess it’s a backup if a button fails or something like that.”

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: ACE