NYYC American Magic PATRIOT Day 26 Summary

They had their Santa hats on at the crew briefing this morning before the New York Yacht Club American Magic Team docked-out early and took to the water for a Saturday blast around a blustery Pensacola Bay. And it was one heck of a sail with the team covering some 54 nautical miles and throwing in a total of 65 manoeuvres. No Christmas break for the rotating cyclors today. With the forecast showing the breeze gradually dropping off in the afternoon, the Americans made the best of the morning, and it was clear that this was a serious crew training session. Tom Slingsby and Paul Goodison had company today in the helming team with Terry Hutchinson, President of Sailing Operations, onboard, even taking a turn on the wheels, and the team pushed the boat at what looked like race pace all morning. For the first hour, the small J4 was the call on the headsail with the wind gusting in at 15 knots but as it faded, the team changed up to the J2 and had the boat on rails and very much “in control” as the recon team reported afterwards. 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