Alinghi Red Bull Racing AC40-4 Day 9 Summary

Today, the Swiss encountered very different conditions to those of the rest of the week, with light southeast winds blowing in from the Sahara Desert and a residual half metre ground swell, but the intel gathered would have been gold-dust for the analysts and data gurus both onshore and back at base. We also saw the now customary crossing over to the windward side of the ‘ballast crew’ in marginal conditions to aid acceleration with a crewmember hanging off the windward shroud for all he was worth. Maxime Bachelin, one of the calmest and most logical sailors in the Cup world summed it up beautifully, as always, saying: “It was quite tough, I would say it was a lot to do for the trimmers because we need to power (up) the sail quite big when it was in a lull but we are still learning the boat…I think we're doing a very good job.” 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