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Will Ricketson AMERICAN MAGIC
Patriot shoots out of the water during American Magic’s first boating session with his second-generation AC75.
American Magic was downplaying a “memorable moment” as they had a sort of escape during their America’s Cup boat debut.
The New York Yacht Club challenger officially launched Patriot in Auckland on Friday morning.
After a few towing tests to perform structural checks, they made the bold decision to set sail, a show of force as second-generation ships emerge.
But they took off attempting their first jibe, with 20 knots of wind in the port of Waitemata.
They got out of sync and their new ship was launched into the air, staying connected by the rudder and the point of a foil before plummeting.
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Fortunately, there was no roll over and Patriot stabilized.
The action was caught on camera and posted on social media as the team’s workouts continue to capture the imagination of the Auckland public.
The union called it a “memorable moment.”
“We had a big nosedive, and it was exciting,” reflected captain Terry Hutchinson on the team’s website on Saturday.
Will RICKETSON / AMERICAN MAGIC
Patriot looking smooth during the first American Magic sailing session with his second-generation AC75.
“It was nothing we haven’t seen or done on our other boats, and our familiarity with the Patriot will grow rapidly in the days ahead.”
Overall, Hutchinson was delighted with the ship’s first presentation.
“We left the dock thinking that if the breeze blew we would have a good sail. We immediately reached 21 knots [of pressure], and we liked it. This really shows the confidence that the sailors have in everyone on the team.
“The overall operation felt like any other day. Despite having a new boat that got us all excited, the whole session felt normal. That’s a great validation of our shore team and all the work done since we launched. the Mule in 2018.
AMERICAN MAGIC / Things
Dean Barker is back in Auckland waters with American Magic.
The American Magic hiccup didn’t go unnoticed by their opponents.
INEOS Team UK boss Sir Ben Ainslie noticed the incident when he launched his second boat in Auckland on Saturday.
“Good for the Americans for coming out … a pretty daring approach,” Ainslie told Stuff.
“Fortunately they didn’t bother, it would have been a bit embarrassing. But they got away with it and they are doing well. “
Ainslie said they wouldn’t rush to navigate Britannia, content to go through a methodical process of testing structures and systems first.
“We will stick with our program,” he said, suggesting that they would be sailing early next week.
The AC75’s design has been prone to “leaps in the sky” while navigating first-generation ships, and American Magic’s risky debut on Friday showed they are still vulnerable.
RED MOON
Luna Rossa’s AC75 survived this alarming jump during testing in Sardinia.
American Magic capsized their original Defiant boat in training in Auckland in September, while defender Emirates Team New Zealand capsized their first AC75 Te Aihe twice in different wind conditions.
American Magic’s second ship featured significant design changes to the hull and deck layout as well.
Barker admitted that it would take some time to adjust.
“It will have its own challenges, and we will take a little time to get to know the ship a little better. The hull is very, very different, so it will have different trends in navigation that we will discover, ”Barker said at the launch of the Patriot on Friday.
“I think having spent so much time in the Defiant will help us get out there and start sailing this boat pretty quickly and in a good way. We are looking forward to that. “
INEOS TEAM UK
Britannia touches the water for the first time at its launch in Auckland at the INEOS Team UK base.
