America’s Cup: To infinity and beyond
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“It’s out there!” declares Kiwi yachting guru Peter Lester as he eyes Team New Zealand’s new America’s Cup boat.
And he doesn’t mean it’s finally out in the public eye, “it’s out there” in terms of pushing the boundaries beyond anything that’s been seen for a large-scale monohull.
Emirates Team New Zealand officially launched the 75-foot foiling monster at their Auckland base on September 6 and now the analysis begins – by the Cup defenders themselves, by their four challengers, and by yachting enthusiasts around the country and the world.
No one will be disappointed, according to Lester, a three-time America’s Cup sailor who had an in-depth look at Team New Zealand’s first of two boats to be used for the defence of the Auld Mug at Auckland 2021 and he shakes his head in wonder.
“The level of craftsmanship, and it’s reflected in the boatbuilding, engineering and design … look, I thought the last catamaran was phenomenally engineered and innovative with the use of AI and simulation … this thing is at another level,” said Lester.
“I think they have done a superb job in putting it together. The workmanship and attention to detail, it’s phenomenal. It’s out there!”
He expects differences in designs that will be reflected in performances, as history had shown.
“I don’t think necessarily the America’s Cup will be close,” he said. “Each time there is a new class, they say: here’s the rule, you go and find a solution and off they go and the sailing scientists go and do their thing. Some team will have it right, some will have it wrong. And it’s really hard once you have played your hand to catch up.
“Conceptually, this is where the Kiwis are at. We wait to see the other boats, but it’s quite hard to change the big components.”
For full report and photos, click here.
For a video with team leader Grant Dalton, click here.
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