AC 34: Technology vs Talent

Frame from Extreme Series video at Qingdao
After the X40s and TNZ capsizes now everyone is having a discussion on design and how to avoid pitch poles, but again, the human factor will become critical with these extreme racing machines.
Being a Box Rule, the A72 will have room for development and we may see some interesting innovations. I’m waiting to see what Juan K will offer for Multis.
But handling will be key if the rule is fair providing similar performance, the tech run will be nothing like AC 33, and is clear we’ll see similar boats/concepts racing against each other.

As I tell every single newbie at the cat school and those entering the F18 Class, sailing cats upto 12-15 knots is lots of fun , but above that range the Cat transforms itself in a new Animal quite difficult to control if not trained.
At the Extreme Series all teams are performing and having total control of the X40, beyond 20knots the game gets harsh and some start losing control forcing dangerous situations.

Team New Zeland is “searching for the limits of the AC45” as reported after their capsize today. Well, they already found them, quickly…

San Franciso is no RAS.
AC professional Teams will provide rutinary Americas Cup support and logistics for the sailors and the boats, designers will eat their own brains testing CFD design alternatives, everyone will be focusing on high performance, weight and how to edge some knots….

But this is no ACC Class elephant race, “This Is Cat Racing!”
and as if I were CEO of any of these teams, I would focus first in hiring a experienced leader and helm, only someone from the very heart of Catamaran Racing, a legend capable of providing knowhow and Control, that in the end will be the real key for winning this Cup,
and that catsailor without a doubt, would be Mitch Booth.-

Mitch at the presentation of Team China, holding his Olympic medals, having him involved is only good news for the Cup and multihull fanatics- Photo: www.americascup.com