Alinghi Red Bull Racing AC40 Day 28 Summary

With two AC40s now delivered, commissioned and operational, the coming days could well see the first stint of two-boat race training for Alinghi Red Bull Racing in this America’s Cup cycle. Before then, however, AC40-4, the team’s first AC40 that has been converted to LEQ12 status and sports the Tubercle foil that Dan Bernasconi, Chief Designer of Emirates Team New Zealand, described as being “very interesting” was today out in Barcelona, for a first test run with the new M1-1 LE mainsail replete with the equally box-fresh J1-1 LE jib – the biggest in the range. Speaking afterwards, Lucien Cujean spoke to the recon team about the new sails and compared the one-design to the LEQ12 sail, saying: “The one design sail, it’s made for everyone so basically it's a bit heavier and in terms of structure is a bit more compact so our design team try some other stuff on the AC40 sail and it's for us a very good platform to try things, to try a bit different shape a bit different orientation with the fibre, and then reproduce it for the for the big boat.” 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