Emirates Team New Zealand LEQ12 Day 17 Summary

After the master-blasting, almost demonstration-sailing, that we saw earlier in the week from Emirates Team New Zealand, Friday’s session was one for the tweakers and wind whisperers but once again the sailing team showed the range of their abilities with some fascinating sail control on display. With so much concentration on sail design, it was a coup for the Recon Unit to grab the legendary Burns Fallow, a stalwart of the North Sails Auckland loft and Global Superyacht Manager who is ETNZ’s Chief Sail Designer, for an interview with a key team member widely regarded in the America’s Cup as the finest sailmaker. Looking at the LEQ12 development he set the scene saying: “These boats have massive ranges of power requirement from 8 knots of apparent wind speed to 60 knots so trying to get something with a lot of controls there and just how we do that is, well…top secret.” When asked about the mainsail inversion we’ve seen, Fallow offered: “Well, going back to the big boats, the 72s, that was definitely the game but of course they are much taller rigs so that was a necessity but when your apparent wind is getting right up there even on these short little stubby rigs, that also comes into play.” 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