Alinghi Red Bull Racing AC40-4 Day 36 Summary

The biggest enemy for all America’s Cup teams is time. It’s the one commodity that they just can’t buy and although there is no second in this great game, every second counts. So it was no surprise on Thursday to see Alinghi Red Bull Racing making the absolute most of their territorial advantage and laser-like focus with their AC40-7 and AC40-4 in LEQ12 mode putting in just over five hours of break-neck practice, flying around in decent breeze up to 20 knots and a swell left over from the remnants of a storm earlier in the week. Lucien Cujean came to the recon interview dockside and as always delivered a fantastic assessment of what was a hugely valuable day. He spoke about the Delta Foil and the influence of having sailors of the calibre of Phil Robertson and Jason Waterhouse working with the team in their advisory capacities. Well worth listening to Lucien who is one of the true coming stars of the America’s Cup in Barcelona and beyond. 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