Please select your home edition
Edition
Musto 2023 Hikers LEADERBOARD

Cup Spy: Emirates Team New Zealand breaks sail in training under shock load

by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com/nz 19 Apr 2023 07:01 BST 19 April 2023
Emirates Team New Zealand - AC75 - Hauraki Gulf - April 19, 2023 © Justin Mitchell

Emirates Team New Zealand suffered a sail breakage on the Hauraki Gulf while training for the second day, in a fresh onshore breeze and moderate sea state.

In a later interview, skipper Peter Burling confirmed the team had been sailing with their J2 headsail, the second largest jib in their sail wardrobe - which had been deployed after the wind eased. However that lull proved to be temporary and the breeze increased later in the session.

Just before the breakage a crew member can be seen crawling forward and making an adjustment to the jib, he is still there as the jib tack tears, and the sail blows back against the mast.

While sailing to windward and foiling into a sea-state which is a mix of swell and windchop, the J2 seems to have been used outside its range, and the tack tore out of the sail, blowing it back against the rig as the AC75 heeled to windward under pressure from the port wingfoil.

According to Burling the crew were able to get the speed off the AC75, which was probably sailing to windward at a speed of 30kts or more.

At the time of the incident the nearest wind observation from Predictwind (Rangitoto Light) showed an average breeze of 18kts gusting 22.5kts (that particular wind station has an elevation of 15metres - so will read a little high).

Prior to the incident around 1300hrs, the breeze had dropped to 16kts and was trending down.

It is not know whether the team will train tomorrow, in these conditions - which are a valuable learning opportunity for the design team and engineers to obtain performance data on an AC75 sailing in a Barcelona style seaway in fresh breezes.

The AC75 was probably sailing in an apparent windspeed of 50kts apparent wind, and one of the challenges for sail designers and engineers has been to develop jibs, in particular, that will work across a wide range - to develop the power to get the AC75 to self-launch onto its foils, and then be capable of taking the increased stress and the apparent wind increases dramatically. Take-off boat speed is reckoned to be around 15-16kts, and the top end speed sailing to windward in flat water under foiling conditions is 36kts plus.

The sea state will add considerably to the shock loading on the sails and rig - and the data gained is is new territory for all America's Cup teams - of which only three have sailed AC75s to date, in the current America's Cup cycle.

Related Articles

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
Athena Racing concerned over 38th AC transparency
Around the recent announcement of a Host City for the Cup in 2027 Athena Racing, representing Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd. as Challenger of Record for the 38th America's Cup, is concerned by the ongoing lack of transparency around the recent announcement of a Host City for the Cup in 2027. Posted on 22 May
America's Cup: Part 2 - No Excuse to Lose
The last race of the (63+254i) America's Cup has begun where tension deepens and strategy sharpens The last race of the (63+254i)th America's Cup has begun. Earth's syndicate, led by the New York Yacht Club, faces off against the Thalassocratic League of Deniau in a final match — winner takes all. Posted on 18 May
Naples to host 2027 America's Cup
The fight for the Auld Mug will take place under the watchful shadow of Mt Vesuvius The Government of Italy, in conjunction with Team New Zealand and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, are pleased to announce Italy as the Host Country and Naples as the Host City for the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup to be held in 2027. Posted on 15 May
America's Cup: Brit in core ETNZ sailing team
Kiwis spring surprise with the inclusion of British sailor Chris Draper in their core sailing squad. Emirates Team New Zealand have announced their core sailing group, with the major surprise being the inclusion of British sailor Chris Draper. Nathan Outteridge is named as skipper to replace the departed Peter Burling. Posted on 14 May
America's Cup: Part 1 - Big Bad Dennis returns
Set in the year 3156, this story on the 317th America's Cup takes us far into the future Set in the year 3156, no physical boats exist. Far too costly and disruptive to the delicate environments involved, the event is conducted entirely through simulation—broadcast from multiple orbital stations, home of all industrial and economic activities Posted on 8 May