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America’s Cup Rialto: November 24 – A long day before the building’s gale
by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World NZ Nov 24 05:16 PST
November 25, 2020
American Magic – Patriot – Waitemata Harbor – November 24, 2020 – 36th America’s Cup © Richard Gladwell / Sail-World.com
Two teams ventured today in the face of a forecast of a strong breeze, which is expected to turn into a regulation eastern gale, along with rain.
Te Rehutai of Emirates Team New Zealand was ejected from the hangar at 06:30 and docked 90 minutes later. They headed towards the Hauraki Gulf initially with light winds and drizzle until noon, when the breeze descended and headed east and began to grow slowly. Conditions were miserable all day.
American Magic docked a couple hours later and headed to Course E, or The Paddock. The darkness generally associated with eastern storms was there all day, with Patriot barely visible. They were the first to appear in the late afternoon cruising fast in the front of an 18 kt heading east.
Emirates Team New Zealand followed about 20 minutes later, sailing in the same breeze, having sailed through the Hauraki Gulf and sailed around the bottom of Waiheke (about 20 nautical miles east of North Head) and back to Auckland . While American Magic sailed directly, Emirates Team New Zealand took a quick tour of the Rangitoto Canal before returning to base.
If there is a speed difference between the two boats under these conditions, we would not be able to see it. The significant aspect, as you can see from the images, is the completely different sailing posture of the two AC75s.
This was a difficult day for the crews, particularly for the kiwis who spent nine hours a day in the water in rather extreme conditions.
Strong winds are expected to continue tomorrow.
The calling card of a gale from the east is usually that the Gulf and the beaches are full of algae, which can be a new test for the frustrated AC75s.
Calling all Cup fans: support your favorite team
This America’s Cup will be different for international fans, who thanks to COVID-19 travel restrictions to New Zealand will not be able to attend the race, unless they have a New Zealand passport and are prepared to live in two weeks of quarantine.
But you can still show your support for the team and feel a part of the event, at racing watch parties and the like.
Or order now to get a unique Christmas gift for that special America’s Cup fan you know.
Get your favorite team apparel at store.americascup.com/collections official supplier for all teams and the America’s Cup event.
To view the American Magic range, click store.americascup.com/collections/american-magic
To view the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli range, click store.americascup.com/collections/luna-rossa-prada-pirelli-team
To see the INEOS Team UK range, click store.americascup.com/collections/ineos
To view the Emirates Team New Zealand range, click store.americascup.com/collections/team-emirates-team-new-zealand
To view the America’s Cup AC36 event range of clothing and equipment, click store.americascup.com/collections/cup-collection
To view the North Sails AC36 range of clothing and gear, click store.americascup.com/collections/ac-by-north-sails
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