After the centreboard broke on the first outing, the Oracles engineers and boat builders went into seclusion to develop new foils. It is a particular technical challenge, as these L-shaped daggerboards are said to have to withstand up to 30 tonnes of pressure when accelerating during the drop. The Cup defender's AC72 was recently test-driven on the San Francisco with the new attachments, albeit not necessarily with the utmost risk. Nevertheless, the pictures provided by Oracle indicate the impressive possibilities of these boats.
Even if the AC72 Kats can be moved in hydrofoil mode, as Oracle and Team New Zealand have demonstrated, it is not yet clear whether they will actually hover over the water like foiling moths in competition. According to the regulations, it is not permitted to change the angle of attack of the rudder and thus influence the flight behaviour, which makes the boats much more difficult to control.
Artemis Racing, who fell behind schedule with their AC72 after the mast broke during testing in Valencia, will soon be taking the big cat out for the first time. The Swedish team will present itself for the first time at the second regatta of the America's Cup World Series 2012/2013, which starts tomorrow in San Francisco, with Nathan Outteridge, who will steer Artemis Racing Red, supported by team boss Paul Cayard, who will sail along as tactician. The place vacated by Outteridge as helmsman for Team Korea will be taken by New Zealander Peter Burling for the first time.
An interesting fact: the Energy Team's AC45 broke free from the mooring at night and drifted with the tide halfway across San Francisco Bay before the boat ran aground on the shore of Treasure Island. The damage was minor and nothing stands in the way of participation in the ACWS.
The regatta starts on Wednesday at 16:00 local time (Thu. 01:00 CEST) with the match race qualifiers. Fleet Week is also taking place in San Francisco at the same time, the highlight of which is the show by the Blue Angels aerobatic team, which is included in the programme. Details on the ACWS website Website.
Current interim status of the ACWS
- Oracle Team USA Spithill 86
- Luna Rossa - Piranha 85
- Team Korea 65
- Energy Team 55
- Luna Rossa - Swordfish 51
- Artemis Racing White 48
- Emirates Team New Zealand 43
- Oracle Team USA Coutts 42
- Artemis Racing Red 38
- J.P. Morgan BAR 37
- China Team 15
