Arguably the fastest design we have yet seen in the new generation of AC75s, certainly one of the most powerful, INEOS Britannia know they have a potent weapon that is more than capable of reversing 173 years of history at the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup and on Saturday it was time to test the lower end capabilities of this rocket-ship. She didn’t disappoint.
In an initial breeze of some 10 knots, the British team set off on a long upwind far out to sea at just after 1pm, clicking into the afternoon zephyrs beautifully with a rock-steady flight and near-perfect end-plating on billiard-table flat waters. Manoeuvres were crisp and sharp with a fast entry into the tacks, a slight dip of the bow and then full power on to build speed. Trim was minimal on the mainsail and jib with small caresses to just get the boat back to target. Giles Scott and Ben Ainslie looked absolutely in tune in these conditions, working well with Luke Parkinson and Leigh McMillan seated in the abaft pods with the cyclors in front of them – an interesting take on the seating positions.
