Alinghi Red Bull Racing AC40 Day 31 Summary

It happened and it was spectacular. Alinghi Red Bull Racing were back on the water on Monday in Barcelona, this time with both AC40-7 and AC40-4 (in LEQ12 mode), lining up and then going head-to-head for some fascinating race practice. Ernesto Bertarelli and Dean Barker linked up on the LEQ12 that now sports its Tubercle delta wing on the starboard foil arm, switching it over from port with the Tubercles now featuring on the inside of the foil profile. It’s an interesting switch and with Jason Waterhouse onboard in one of the trimming positions, this interesting test team proved to be pretty handy with honours even over two races against Arnaud Psarofaghis and Nicolas Charbonnier sailing the one-design AC40. Yves Detrey, completing the team onboard the LEQ12 summed it up beautifully afterwards when asked how important this milestone day was for the Swiss team: “Yeah very important. It’s the first time that we are here racing with two boats, and I think it's a big milestone in any of the campaigns of any of the teams and we're the first today to do it (in Barcelona) and I think it was very interesting, you know it's active competition, so it's what we like as well.” 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