As Alinghi Red Bull Racing starting racking up successful sailing days, the other teams are starting to take notice and through the Joint Recon programme, the technical teams are starting to ask specific questions about their set up as is allowed under the rules of AC37. To date, three have been filed.
Wind Strength (PM): 14 knots Wind Angle: NW (AM) – S (PM)
Crane in: 0910 Dock Out: 1130
Dock In: 1615 Crane out: 1655
Total Tacks: 1 (Displacement)
Estimate TWA: 180 degrees
Sailing Time: 45 minutes at speed
Sails: M1- 1R with J2-1L (1 hour 25 mins). J4-1R Brought on deck at end of session but not used.
Recon Team Notes: Wind speeds were measured with an anemometer 2m above sea level. At the time of Dock Out, the wind measured 2-3kn from SE. The wind slowly clocked to South and increased in pressure throughout the afternoon; 6.5kn at 12:50, 9kn at 13:30, 11kn at 14:15, 15kn at 15:25, 18kn at 15:50. Sailing 12:40 – 13:00 (displacement mode) , Sailing 13:15 – 14:00 (1 Non foiling tack) , Sailing 14:45 – 15:05 (Downwind, displacement mode). Sails down at 15:50 and tow foiling back to base.
The primary focus for the team today was systems and checks, however it was not clear what exact systems were tested. A battery change was carried out at 12:15. Another piece of hardware was brought on board at approx. 15:10, but we could not confirm this was a battery due to the shape of the waterproof bag (radio messages indicated it was another battery).
It appeared that a jib change would be carried out at 15:25, however, the training session was ended shortly after the J4 was brought on the foredeck. The lack of breeze in the beginning of the session made for very slow sailing. A stint from 13:15 – 14:00 with 1 non-foiling tack was the only stint where the yacht was foiling. The first run of the stint, close reach on port tack, had the following swell from the East, during which foiling was very inconsistent.
The second run of the stint, reach on starboard tack, was into the East swell, with more consistent speed and foiling. As the session came to an end, the conditions were composed of a significant east swell with southerly 18kn winds gusting 20kn and strong wind chop, making for difficult navigation.
Nicolas Rolaz, formerly an Optimist World Champion, the youngest member of Alinghi Red Bull Racing’s sailing team and a member of the ‘Power Group’ was interviewed afterwards and explained: “Today was a day for systems checks. The fine tuning took a bit longer than expected, a bit of sailing and then back to base. We’re not focussed on the conditions; we’re just trying to learn the boat as much as possible.”
Before adding: “It’s an amazing feeling (sailing the AC75), I wish everyone could have a go!”
