NYYC American Magic PATRIOT Day 38 Summary

For the record, Patriot glided foil-to-foil through some 48 tacks and 31 gybes and didn’t splash down once – yes a full 100% success rate in 16-19 knots of breeze. Not only that, downwind they hit speeds above 50 knots – the first time we’ve seen the ‘big 5-0’ recorded in this America’s Cup cycle. And the distance covered, well it was three short of the ton mark, but 97 nautical miles is an astonishing day’s run with 186 minutes of pure flight time. Incredible performance from the sailing team. With brilliance showing through, out in Pensacola Bay on a daily basis and a relentless programme that will have the team out training all the way through February, there’s still a remarkable humility and willingness to push further, faster and harder that was exemplified by a wonderfully open and honest interview with Tom Slingsby afterwards. Looking at the team with fresh eyes, this former World Sailor of the Year 2021, commented: “I think Terry (Hutchinson) and Tyson (Lamond) have done a great job from an overall of planning things…things that were done maybe a year ago just to get us here, sailing the AC75 consistently with the full squad, sailing day in day out all this whole winter, that's been an amazing move.” 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