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“Sailing the AC40 is the greatest gift you can receive and the race is so close. We had to keep our eyes open because there were a lot of gusts and sometimes only eight knots at the end of the course and 13 knots further up - so a lot of changes, but we kind of like them."
"In Optimist sailing you can see that girls can do just as well as boys if there is no physical advantage, in Olympic sailing I also feel very well treated and we are definitely on equal footing. I think the same is true in big sailing, where physical attributes don't matter! We've never sailed these foil boats before, so I think it's great that we get this chance now and it's about closing that gap with the men. I think we should only get the chance if we are really good enough."
The DutchSail "JAJO" team leads in Group B with 27 points.
In Group A "Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Women's Team" leads with 33 points (as of 7th october 2024).
The Woman's Team Germany takes on the following tasks and responsibilities on board:
Luise Wanser (Port Trimmer), Maru Scheel (Port Helm), Tina Lutz (Starboard Helm), Carolina Werner (Starboard Trimmer).
For the first time in the history of the America's Cup, there will be a women-only ranking. As part of the Puig Women's America's Cup from October 5th to 13th, twelve international teams will sail onfoiling AC 40 monohull yachts for the coveted trophy. Germany will be represented at the first edition of the Puig Women's America's Cup with a team led by Carolina Werner.
Group A; All six of the confirmed entries for the America's Cup in Barcelona are fielding Puig Women’s America’s Cup teams. They will represent their respective confirmed clubs from New Zealand, Great Britain, USA, Italy, Switzerland, and France.
Group B: The six remaining teams come from Spain (Royal Barcelona Yacht Club), The Netherlands (Royal Netherlands Yacht Club & Royal Maas Yacht Club), Canada (Royal Vancouver Yacht Club), Germany (Kieler Yacht Club, Bayrischer Yacht Club, Norddeutscher Regatta Verein, and Verein Seglerhaus am Wannsee), Sweden (Royal Gothenburg Yacht Club) and Australia (Cruising Yacht Club of Australia).
See here: Puig Women’s America’s Cup.
Flying over the water
The AC 40 racing yacht was specially designed for use in the America's Cup. The hull is made of carbon fiber, so that the yacht is very light and yet has a very stiff hull, so that its performance is very high.
The angle of inclination of the so-called foil keel is hydraulically adjustable, and there is also an innovative trim system for optimal sail adjustment. The four-person crew sits in pairs behind each other, similar to a skibob, and operates the rudders and sheets from here - sometimes at the push of a button. After a turning maneuver, the sides are not changed to improve weight distribution as on conventional yachts; the sailors remain seated in their seats throughout the entire race.
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli’s young guns, generational talent, dominated the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup Final with a comprehensive victory over NYYC American Magic in a high-adrenaline, six-leg, race sailed in winds up to 18 knots and big waves.
Mistral winds - gusty, wind speed of 14 to 16 Knoten (4-5 Bft). Exactly such conditions are difficult to simulate on the simulator.
Sometimes, good things take time, and after a lengthy delay on day one (17.9.) of the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup in Barcelona as the lower-end wind-limit of 7.5 knots struggled to be met, suddenly, in the early evening the regatta roared into life. Pressure thundered in from the south-east as dark, angry cloud cover came in from across the Mediterranean, delivering a gusty, solid, 14-16 knots (4-5 Bft) atop a building sea state over a metre in height.
For those outside Europe a "Mistral" is a strong, cold, northwesterly wind that blows from southern France into the Gulf of Lion in the northern Mediterranean. The usual warmer summer breeze is a southerly or south westerly.
Light winds and an awkward sea state generated by a nearby Mistral are expected to ask plenty of questions of the AC40 and AC75 crews as racing continues in the Louis Vuitton Cup and UniCredit Youth America's Cup, September 18, 2024.
The races take place on uniform AC40/75 yachts. To prepare, the sailors use a simulator costing around two million euros, on which four people practice sailing on the foiling racing car.
Tactical Sailing also provides you with a PC simulator for €59, which you can use to play and train with four people. There are 14 boats available for you to choose from: Opti, Laser, 420, etc. up to the TP52 and now also with AC40!
Order the latest PC program version for playing and training here: Coach's Toolbox here!
"The simulator experiences are very immersive and realistic. Sailing on the AC40 feels like a go-kart on steroids - intense, powerful and incredibly dynamic," explains Paul Farien. And Carolina Werner, who took part in the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016 with helmsman Paul Kohlhoff, adds: "The simulator plays a big part in understanding the boat."
The AC40 racing yacht embodies the latest generation of state-of-the-art sailing technology and is a pinnacle in the development of performance sailing yachts. The boat, its controls, sails, foils and mechanisms are all standardized so there is a strong focus on racing craft, positioning and foils technique to "fly over the water". On the water, each team consists of just four sailors with two oars steering from the front “pod” and two crew members responsible for sails and foils trim sitting in the rear pods. The race promises to be fast and furious as the AC40 can reach speeds of over 45 knots downwind and high 30 knots upwind.
The AC40s are the boats used for the Youth and Women's America's Cup events from 17. to 26. September, as well as training boats for the teams competing in the 37th Louis Vuitton America's Cup (AC75) - taking place between 22nd August and 27th October 2024 in Barcelona. Smaller but no less powerful, with a crew of four, these "racing yachts" were launched to great fanfare in September 2022 and their performance was astonishing.
The foils act as wings and provide the lift, allowing the boat to float above the water. She it's light, which is crucial, because the AC40 is designed to fly. It's also different - rather than a keel, a brand new concept keeps it standing. "Foil Cant Arms" move under, or outside, the boat to provide the leverage it needs to stay upright.
Some parts of the boat are supplied - built by McConaghy - the mast, rigging, foil-cant arms and their hydraulics are all stock components. But, there are still plenty of areas that designers can experiment with to find a race-winning edge.
Wing also on mainsail: The double-sail skin mainsail combines with the "D" shaped mast to form a wing, generating the power (upper- and lower preasure) the AC40 needs to foil.
Underwater is where things get really interesting, the foil cant system is a battery-driven, hydraulic power-unit that supplies the energy to lift and lower the immensely strong - and heavy - foil cant arms.
As the boat swaps tacks, the cant system is activated, placing one hydrofoil in the water, and lifting the other one out, where its weight becomes ballast.
At the end of the arms lie the teams' secret weapons - the foil wings.
Source: See a video clip from Prada-Team here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQUl_hf6yo8&t=20s
America's Cup: Thanks to groundbreaking technology, the wind is visualized live on the screen. This allows fans, commentators and coaches to better understand the team's routes and tactics and makes coverage of the sport more accessible than ever before.
WindSight IQ: The technology used is a "wind view" using "LiDAR" (Light Detection and Ranging), sensor fusion and scientific calculations to display the wind in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) graphics.
On the water, in strong winds of 4 Bft and above, "waves" or "white caps" always appear on the water surface.
Wind gusts: In light winds of 1-3 Bft, you can see alternating so-called wind gusts, which are light and dark "spots" distributed on the water surface. Depending on the wind strength, the water surface ripples there or is "smooth". The borders of these spots are quite bizarre - "frayed" - depending on the "light incidence" from sunlight and cloud shadows - no sharp borders or edges, not straight.
Tactical Sailing simulates the wind on the screen in various formats in the Coach's Toolbox, for better understanding in simplified form as an ellipse or circle. Each format has its own wind, which can change in wind strength and direction at the edges in a transition zone.
The wind gusts move across the regatta field in the form of circles and ellipses, they offer ideal opportunities for learning and practicing the optimal routes and tactical maneuvers. Wind direction and strength can be changed by the trainer.
See a report on WindSight IQ here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6FlT62PQks&t=17s
https://www.americascup.com/news/3246_CAPGEMINI-AND-AMERICAS-CUP-MEDIA-TO-BRING-A-NEW-DIMENSION-TO-THE-37TH-AMERICAS-CUP-EXPERIENCE-WITH-WINDSIGHT-IQ
In fact, from a strategic and tactical point of view, these races are very similar to traditional competitions, which involve controlling the opponent and defending one side of the course that is more favourable than the other. The time for strategic decisions on an AC40 is greatly reduced and decisions are made in a matter of seconds. For this reason, each team has spent many hours training on the water and on the simulator, testing all the conditions that can occur in a race and creating a sort of "playbook" with a list of possible manoeuvres to deal with them.
Upwind marks: When approaching the upwind mark (windward marks), there are three main manoeuvres.
1. The normal bear away, where the boat reaches the layline, bears away and sails towards the downwind gate.
2. In certain circumstances, it is possible to perform manoeuvres that involve a gybe shortly after the bear away. This is called an early gybe or Chicago, when the gybe is done very close to the mark. In light winds this is a risky option as the boat will fall back into its own bad air within seconds.
3. The tack bear-away instead is a typical situation in which the boat reaches the layline on the mark, in which the opponents have already reached the inside position on the mark, which makes it necessary to tack as soon as possible to reach the other mark, bear–away, and return on the downwind leg.
Downwind gate: At the downwind gate, it is possible to execute a manoeuvre that all teams refer to as the JK or round-up tack. It is quite complex and generally used to create a split from the opponents or to take immediate control of a more favourable side of the racecourse. Often it is executed at speed, keeping both foils in the water.
A further option, when approaching the downwind gate, is the jibe round-up, which is similar to the tack bear-away. It is performed when the boat is on the lay line but decides, at the last minute, to round the other mark, either to split from its opponent or to cover a side of the course with higher pressure.
See a report from "PRADA" Luna Rossa here (Eng, Ger, Esp).
In the tests with the AC40 the following values were measured: max. speed (KN) and time at finish line (min:sec).
- the true wind in the area was 12 KN, with a gust of 20 KN and the
- Downwind: max. boat speed 44.6 KN (82,6 km/h) in the gust!
- Upwind: max. boat speed 43,1 KN (79,8 km/h) in the gust!
Watch the video clips on Youtube.
Tilo Schnekenburger writes: "Foil sailors are breaking the 'sound barrier' in sailing. Foil sailors are about to break the 100 km/h barrier, but that is still a long way from the sound barrier. Of course, this is not about the real sound barrier, which is known to be around 1200 km/h. It is more about the fact that foiling sailing vehicles today reach boat speeds that are currently 2 to 3 times the speed of the true wind driving them!" See his detailed article here: https://tschnekenburger.wixsite.com/regattataktik/under-re-construction (German).
Optimal speeds are the decisive factors for the success of the team, the harmonious flow of movements during maneuvers on board and the optimal physical speed of the boat against and in front of the wind. The four-person team has a lot to train in order to move optimally on board, operate the foils and steer the optimal course up and downwind. Because just a few degrees of steering make a big difference, see the polar diagrams of the AC40.
The "Performance data (1)" from Emirate Team New Zealand shows the speed potential of an AC40 at the following wind speeds (knots-kts, true wind speed TWS):
(1) The performance data is estimated; the AC40 teams have to specifically test the properties of their AC40 during training.
The racing yachts from the “America’s Cup”, the AC40 with “foiling wings”, require completely new knowledge when steering the yacht. Strategy and tactics also offer new challenges.
Tactical Sailing - AC40 Simulation: There is a simulation of the “America’s Cup (AC)” from the AC40 racing yacht in the new program versions "Toolbox" and “Highlights”. Just like at the next AC Cup in Barcelona, you can challenge a friend on your PC to sail the up-down course for the shortest time. It's a completely new feeling to race around the course so quickly on the PC. Tactical sofistication at the upwind and downwind gates requires a lot of practice in the maneuvers: 'Chicago' and 'JK', see a video clip here.
Order the latest program version of "Toolbox" or “Highlights” for playing and training.
Foils: The foils act like wings and provide buoyancy, allowing the yacht to float above the water. Thanks to the low friction loss, the racing yacht can reach speeds of up to 100 km/h on the downwind course! The Tactical Sailing program shows the speeds (VMG) in a 'tactical disc' of the boats.
Tactics: “Foilers” are so fast on the downwind course that they can even overtake gusts of wind. They don't just sail with the gusts to leeward, they sail through them to leeward! This means that the tactician on board has to look for the new wind on a downwind course not from behind to windward, but from forward to leeward".
See a detailed description by Tilo Schnekenburger in the new 3rd edition of his book: "The Geometry of Regatta Sailing" (German) , download here.
Training on the AC40 simulator from NZL: You not only practice on the water, but also with the AC40 simulator, which is provided by the Australians (NZL). Lukas is thrilled by the performance of modern simulation technology! After all, Lukas already knows the Tactical Sailing Simulator from his time as an “Opti-Sailor”!
With his buddy from Opti days: In 2020, Lukas climbed onto the Waszp parallel to his 49er commitment and tested the Persico 69F on Lake Garda. After his first sniff on Lake Garda, Lukas already has regatta experience at the Youth Foiling Gold Cup 69F can collect. At the Act in Cagliari he started with his sister Emilie, Jann Schüpbach and the 29er sailor Nell Castilla. “I have known Jann from my Opti days, since the 2013 World Cup and a subsequent invitation event in Bermuda. We have been friends ever since, even though Jann sailed 470s and I sailed 49s,” reports Lukas. Excerpts from SegekReporter, January 11, 2022 by Ralf Abratis.
“Participating in the Youth America’s Cup as a sailor is a unique opportunity to compete against the best young sailors in the world and showcase your skills on a global stage.” This high-profile competition pits talented sailors from six countries – Spain, Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Sweden and Australia – against established America’s Cup teams.
Youth and Women's America's Cup from 17 to 26 September: The AC40 will be the official boat for these special events, providing an exclusive platform in the 18-25 age range. For the first time in the history of the America's Cup, a women's edition of this regatta will be held. The America’s Cup Team Germany consists of outstanding sailors who have won, among other things, two Olympic medals and numerous championship titles, e.g. world champion Opti Tina Lutz, Luise Wanser in the 470 and Lukas Hesse, German champion in the 49er.
US Challenger "American Magic" marked 100 days of sailing in their AC40 America with the release of some key statistics including an impressive to speed. The top speed released was less than 0.2kts off the magical 50kts mark. Performance statistics:
Max speed: 49.83 knots
Anderson Reggio, American Magic's performance analyst, sheds light on two-boat testing's value as the team enters the third week of testing both AC40s side by side in Barcelona, gearing up for the 2024 America's Cup.
See a video clip at instagram, magically flying by #Foiling.
An interesting article on "Rules and Tactics" also explains the high speeds that can be achieved with foiling yachts:
"They generate so much “apparent wind” over the sails that, just as on a motorcycle, it always feels like it’s from dead ahead, even when jibing to turn the boat from one reach to another at high speed." See the article here.
Emirates "Team New Zealand" sailed twice - once with the Youth/Women's crew in the AC40-OD and on Wednesday with the LEQ12 and AC40 working through a racing/speed session.
For the first time in the history of the America's Cup, Germany is competing with a youth and women's team. Teams from
- Spain, the Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Sweden and Australia have registered for the Youth America's Cup 2024,
- as well as the established Cup teams from the USA and New Zealand.
The Youth Team Germany
The UniCredit Youth America's Cup from September 17th to 26th for selected young sailors between the ages of 18 and 25 will take place for the third time this year on foiling AC 40 yachts.
The Youth America's Cup offers the unique opportunity to gain experience at the highest level in a demanding, international environment. The team manager of the Youth Teamis foiling expert Paul Farien.
The Women's Team Germany
For the first time in the history of the America's Cup, there will be a women-only ranking. As part of the Puig Women's America's Cup from October 5th to 13th, ten international teams will sail on foiling AC 40 monohull yachts for the coveted trophy. Germany will be represented at the first edition of the Puig Women's America's Cup with a team led by Carolina Werner.
See information here:
https://www.ac-team-germany.com/
https://www.ac-team-germany.com/team/
Jochen Schümann: In the long term, the three-time Olympic champion sees the new beginning as an investment in a German America's Cup challenge. The supporter, sponsor and mentor of the German AC team is exceptional sailor Jochen Schuemann, one of the most successful German sailors with three Olympic gold medals, nine medals at world championships and two America's Cup victories. The German Youth and Women's America's Cup team are now benefiting from his experience.
"My goal is for the German Youth and Women's AC participation in 2024 to not be a one-off experience," explains Jochen Schümann. "Such major challenges require long-term and sustainable efforts and investments in order to not just be a participant, but a real competitor with a chance of winning."
Sources:
Jochen Schuemann "Dabei sein ist dieses Mal alles": Yacht: Tatjana Pokorny· September 14, 2024 (German).
Photo: Carlo Borlenghi
Welcome to the 37th Louis Vuitton America’s Cup, taking place between August and October 2024 in the beating heart of beautiful Barcelona, capital of Catalonia and one of the most visited cities on earth. Located around Port Vell and along the beach to Port Olímpic, the sailing world has made Barcelona its home for one of the most demanding America's Cups in the event's 174-year history.
The America's Cup, which was held for the first time in 1851 off the British Isle of Wight, is the most famous and oldest trophy in sailing. In the final, only two boats sail against each other in a match race format. In this duel under sail, only one can win.
WHAT IS THE AMERICA'S CUP: THE RACE WITHOUT SECOND PLACE: The New York Yacht Club, one of the most prestigious clubs in the world, held the trophy for 132 years before losing it to Australia in 1983. Since then, the cup has only been won by teams from the USA, Switzerland and New Zealand. The current defending champions of the America's Cup are Emirates Team New Zealand, representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.
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