Please select your home edition
Edition




All the decisions, detailing and engineering, design work, and training have been made - it's over

by Ken Read 27 Aug 20:49 PDT
Emirates Team NZ and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli - Final race - Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta - Barcelona - August 25, 2024 © Ian Roman / America's Cup

As we all are aware, the America’s Cup Trials haven’t technically started yet, but for all practical purposes, the America’s Cup is over.

Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent. All the decisions, detailing and engineering, design work, and training have created a unique DNA for each program.

The die has been cast. Time will tell who made the right calls.

There are a few standout aspects of this Cup which I find interesting. First of all, the second-generation AC75s used for the 37th America’s Cup have morphed, as most Cup boats, to look fairly similar.

I know, I know. The devil is in the details, but when you look at this lineup of AC75s from a distance, with a reasonably untrained eye, they sure do look alike. That said, all the teams have taken incredible care of both aerodynamic and hydrodynamic properties. And all have generated exceptionally refined machines.

But to the more trained eye, the variations are more pronounced. Two reasons stick out to me: a change in anticipated weather conditions from Auckland to Barcelona; and the “Formula 1 Effect.”

The boats all feature low wetted surface hulls with different bustle shapes in order to pop out of the water in very light air, but also taking into account that Barcelona is expected to have a choppy/bumpy sea state compared to Auckland. The bustle down the centerline also determines how the boat connects to the water. In essence, the end plate effect connects the sail plan through the hull almost directly to the water. That has proven to be the trick and all of the teams manage this transition from sails to water (or lack of transition) a little bit differently.

By “Formula 1 Effect” I’m referring to how Red Bull and Mercedes innovations and design tools have influenced the Alinghi and INEOS programs. To my “untrained eye,” those two boats look the most radical - angular and even robotic. Clearly, there is a rhyme or reason for every little nip and tuck in the hull and appendage package. Comparatively, the American and Italian teams look to have faired their nips and tucks a little more aesthetically. We shall see how the Formula 1 world shapes up compared to the aesthetic world.

Which leads to the type of racing we can expect.

For the full story www.northsails.com/blogs/north-sails-blog/37th-americas-cup-preview-with-ken-read

Related Articles

North Sails: Solo, Non-Stop & Around the World
North Sails Vendee Globe newsletter includes several stories on key aspects of the race North Sails Vendee Globe newsletter includes a preview of the 40 entry Vendee Globe; In Loft 57 Charlie Enright hosts the Vendee Globe edition; Thomas Ruyant and Sam Goodchild review North Sails foul weather gear. Posted on 9 Nov
Loft 57: North Sails Podcast Season 2 Episode 3
The Voices of the America's Cup Broadcast The America's Cup broadcast and color commentary have allowed millions of sailors and sports enthusiasts worldwide to tune into yachting's most prestigious regatta. Posted on 12 Oct
Loft 57: North Sails Podcast Season 2 Episode 2
America's Cup Strategy On Board & Shoreside Emirates Team New Zealand helmsman Nathan Outteridge and Orient Express Racing Team CEO Bruno Dubois join the conversation in this episode of Loft 57. Posted on 11 Oct
Loft 57: North Sails Podcast Season 2 Episode 1
Reflections from America's Cup Legends Grant Simmer and Simon Daubney America's Cup Hall of Famers Grant Simmer and Simon Daubney stop by Loft 57 to reflect on the America's Cup and their experience within yachting's most prestigious regatta. Between them, these two have won the Cup nine times. Posted on 10 Oct
Go North for the 37th America's Cup
North Sails is proud to be the sailmaker of choice for all entries participating in the Cup North Sails is proud to be the sailmaker of choice for all entries participating in the Cup. We supply each AC75 with 3Di sail technology, aero engineers, and exclusive access to the industry's most advanced sail design and aero simulation tools. Posted on 13 Sep
Why should you chose North 3Di?
Top round the world race sailor Bouwe Bekking explains why you should choose North 3Di In the latest North Sails video top round the world race sailor Bouwe Bekking explains why you should choose North 3Di - for racing, cruising or going offshore. Posted on 6 Jun
Why are 3Di sails aero-optimized?
A streamlined sail shape delivers less drag, more drive, and greater effectiveness North Sails explain the advantages of aero-optimisation: a streamlined sail shape delivers less drag, more drive, greater effectiveness and enhanced durability. Posted on 2 May
Top North Sails designer dead at 47yrs
Leading North Sails designer Gautier Sergent passed away after sustaining a heart attack It is with immense sadness that we share the news that our friend and North Sails colleague Gautier Sergent passed away after sustaining a heart attack. Posted on 27 Mar
Tony Rey is joining North Sails
New hire, Tony Rey has been part of three America's Cup campaigns and multiple Olympic campaigns Few sailors have such a diverse career and broad enthusiasm for racing and cruising. Tony Rey has been part of three America's Cup campaigns (2000, 2003 and 2007), he did multiple Olympic campaigns and was a coach for the 2004 US Olympic team. Posted on 19 Mar