America's Cup: More "Matrix" than "Master & Commander"

Because the regulations in the 35th America's Cup cycle only allow the challengers to build a 50-foot catamaran for the competition, the campaigns are making do with slightly smaller test models. The British team Land Rover BAR launched its third test model today. T3 looks like a cup catamaran, but is slightly shorter. While the hull shape and hull structure are strongly defined by the control corset, the developers are mainly looking to make gains in the area of the wing sail and control of the wings and appendages. It is in these areas that the 35th battle for the most important trophy in international sailing will be decided.

Sir Ben Ainslie's America's Cup team Land Rover BAR has launched its third test catamaran in its home waters off Portsmouth and is looking forward to an intensive "summer camp"

As in the automotive industry, where the traditional connections between the accelerator pedal and carburettor have long since given way to electronics and sensors, the pods previously used to control the sails on board T3 have also been replaced by hydraulic systems and electronics. The innovations and new technology are hidden deep inside T3 and cannot be recognised from the outside. The boat can only be entered and used by those who can authorise themselves with a password. The scenery is more reminiscent of a film like "The Matrix" than of long-gone cup times à la "Master and Commander".

Team boss Sir Ben Ainslie received the latest projectile like a boy who has just been given a new breathtaking high-tech toy for his birthday. The four-time Olympic champion and British sailing hopeful said: "T3 is another fantastic masterpiece from our designers, engineers, shore team and suppliers. It's fantastic to see the progress we make again with each new boat. We are a new team, but we are growing fast. Really fast!"

Systems and analysis expert Richard Hopkirk explains: "T3 brings us a significant step closer to the systems we want to use in the America's Cup. This boat will allow us to test and develop in all areas that will influence our ultimate performance. It is a crucial follow-up development on the way to fast, stable and uninterrupted flying." T3 will serve as a development and testing vehicle for Ainslie's team in their home waters off Portsmouth over the summer.