Please select your home edition
Edition
Melges 15

America's Cup Rialto: Nov 16 - Three AC75s workout on a congested Course D

by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World NZ 16 Nov 2020 09:12 GMT 16 November 2020
American Magic - Waitemata Harbour - November 16, 2020 - 36th America's Cup © Richard Gladwell / Sail-World.com

What will be one of the more significant weeks in the 36th America's Cup, got under way today with the three Challengers all finishing up on Course D, in the area known as Motukorea Channel.

The area is edged by Rangitoto to the north, Motuihe to the east and Browns Island (Motukorea) to the south. It is shown as Course D on the America's Cup locations - but it was originally included as one of two foul weather options. Whether it stays that way for the Prada Cup and America's Cup remains to be seen.

It was termed a Race Area, a few weeks ago, when the two Stadium Courses B and C were dropped by decision of the Arbitration Panel, after the Ports of Auckland didn't have the nous to scale back their port access requirements post-COVID19, and just let the matter play out.

Course D is not a great piece of water - and won't really take a NE/SW orientated course (the prevailing breeze in Auckland) - and comes with the complication of a few reefs along its southern edge. It is a major fast ferry thoroughfare.

American Magic was first out today, docking out around 1230hrs - followed by INEOS Team UK and Luna Rossa mid-afternoon - around 1430hrs. The afternoon started with grey overcast skies and got progressively more dull - culminating in rain in the late afternoon.

The US Challenger initially went out onto Course A, off Takapuna Beach, and looked to be testing a Code Zero, before cutting away and joining the other two on the Course D area.

At least one of the teams had laid marks, but in the hour and a half we watched they didn't seem to get much use - except maybe as a target if they happened to be in the way of one of the three teams.

The Brits seemed to have staked a claim at the eastern Motuihe end of the area, with the Italians staying in the western or City end. The USA, when they arrived worked across the two.

Even with the three Challengers in the same area, there didn't seem to be any attempts at the outlawed testing or sailing "in a coordinated manner" against other competitors - even though there was plenty of opportunity to inadvertently do so.

Instead they all seemed focussed on speed runs in various directions, foiling easily in the 10-15kt SW breeze. Speedwise, they didn't appear to be noticeably different than Te Aihe, however time will tell on that one.

All were wearing #2 jibs, with Luna Rossa changing jibs presumably to test other options in the same size.

Takeouts from today were that the boatspeed looked quite even - although it is near impossible to tell - except when the boats are sailing the same course - and then there no surety that one or both aren't sandbagging. More obvious was the absence of the control issues that plagued American Magic's Defiant - being the only Boat 1 to sail in Auckland other than the Kiwis in Te Aihe.

The latter also had their issues in the early days, but seemed to iron out the wrinkles, while Defiant's stayed with her until she was retired.

Today the AC75's all seemed to be sailing at race pace, and without too many of the blowouts - capsizes, sky jumps, rolls to windward or leeward and the like. The probable reasons for the settling down are twofold - the crews learning how to sail the fickle AC75, and improved control systems along with a greater range of rudder rake and consequent control over the angle of the rudder wing.

Later this week Emirates Team New Zealand will formally launch their second AC75, and for the first time all four AC75's that will contest the Prada Cup and America's Cup will be sailing on the Waitemata.

Practice racing is expected to be held in advance of the Christmas Cup/America's Cup World Series Auckland, which starts on December 17.

Preliminary racing was always planned for the first ACWS regatta in Cagliari, Sardinia in late April - for reasons of race management, safety and to give the crews racing experience ahead of the ACWS Regatta in December. Several practice race events were held ahead of the 2017 America's Cup in Bermuda for similar reasons in the AC50 despite the crews having sailed their race boats for three months.

The weather forecast for the rest of the week shows good sailing conditions through to Sunday, with conditions close to the upper wind limit forecast for Wednesday.

Related Articles

America's Cup: Luna Rossa to sail for Naples club.
Italian Challenger Luna Rossa will contest the next America's Cup as the team of a Naples club. Italian Challenger Luna Rossa will contest its seventh America's Cup as the team of the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia of Naples, as club that is new to the America's Cup. Posted on 10 Jul
K-Challenge gives opinion on proposed Protocol
Why the 38th edition could usher in a new era for the America's Cup Stephan Kandler and Bruno Dubois, Co-CEOs of K-Challenge, jointly stated: “The provisional Protocol published on 23 May 2025 by Defender Emirates Team New Zealand is an important step forward for the America's Cup." Posted on 4 Jul
America's Cup - #3 Finish Line
The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. Step into the last leg. This is where legends break — or rise. Posted on 23 Jun
Burling "excited' by Italian move
In a media statement issued by his Media Team, Burling says he remains fully committed to his role w In a media statement issued by his Media Team, Burling says he remains fully committed to his role with Black Foils, the New Zealand SailGP Team. Posted on 20 Jun
America's Cup: Another sponsor signs for Italians
Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team and will accompany it as an official sponsor for the duration of the 38th America's Cup. Posted on 5 Jun
America's Cup enthusiastically received in Naples
The Castel dell'Ovo, was the venue for the arrival of the America's Cup in Napes The Castel dell'Ovo, set on the tuft peninsula of Megaride was the outstanding setting for the Official Host Venue Presentation of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup. Posted on 28 May
Italian PM welcomes America's Cup in Rome
Prime Minister Meloni set out a bold vision for the regeneration planned around AC38 The magnificent setting of the Casino del Bel Respiro, commissioned by Pope Innocent X in 1644, in the grounds of Villa Pamphilj, was the outstanding and historic setting for the formal presentation of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup. Posted on 26 May
America's Cup: Big changes in crew line-up
Women and Youth crews to sail in AC75 in the next Cup - Final Draft of AC38 Protocol Historic changes are proposed in the Final Draft of the Protocol released by the America's Cup Defender. For the first time a Female and Youth crew members will be part of the six-crew lineup on board the all-electric AC75s. Posted on 23 May
America's Cup: Emirates Team NZ respond
Emirates Team New Zealand has responded to the statements sent overnight (NZT) Emirates Team New Zealand has responded to the statements sent overnight by two Challenger teams calling for more transparency in the negotiations over the Protocol and venue for the 38th Match. Posted on 22 May
NYYC American Magic team statement
Concerns over transparency and cooperation necessary to secure a fair Protocol Over the past seven years, we've competed with pride, purpose, and perseverance in two editions of the America's Cup. It has been an honor to represent the New York Yacht Club and the United States on the global stage. Posted on 22 May