Alinghi Red Bull Racing AC40-4 Day 27 Summary

Barcelona was at its most challenging on Tuesday with building conditions and a nasty swell delivered on a Llevant wind from the east and for Alinghi Red Bull Racing it was perhaps their most challenging day sailing the AC40. A number of near capsizes and one full capsize that saw crew-members in the water as they tried to attach the tow-line were the headliners but more importantly, the technique of sailing in big waves and 20 knots of breeze was tested to the max. The key is all in slowing the boat down off the wind to stop the bow digging into the waves and using boat boards to keep speed under check. Bryan Mettraux, trimming from the port side on the team’s now LEQ12 AC40, breaks down the day for us and talks through the various pitch and ride height that the team were trying to achieve as well as new sail trim downwind with a deeper mainsail setting. Bryan describes the day as “difficult at the end but we have to learn how to sail the boat in these conditions” so for sure, he saw value in what was a tricky day of testing on the new Tubercle foil. Alinghi Red Bull Racing are scheduled to sail for the rest of this week. Section 41. Reconnaissance a) As a campaign cost reduction measure, COR/D has mutually agreed to cooperatively implement a centralised reconnaissance programme for all teams for the reconnaissance of all Competitors’ AC75 Yachts, AC40 Yachts and LEQ12 yachts including both on-land and on-water imagery (the “Joint Recon Programme”). b) Each team is assigned a two-person Recon Unit to follow their every on-water move, but it's not that simple. The cameras are supplied and identical for all Recon Units. Drones are not allowed, and they can't get that close, plus following a boat and keeping a camera steady at 45 knots isn't that easy to begin with. c) A three minute interview follows each on water day, and teams must answer the Recon Unit's questions while trying not to give too much away. It's a raw, unedited view of the never before seen behind-the-scenes development of a team and their boat to win the oldest trophy in international sports. #AC37Recon #AmericasCup #Barcelona2024