{"id":153130,"date":"2024-08-14T06:00:34","date_gmt":"2024-08-14T05:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/?p=153130"},"modified":"2025-05-28T10:23:16","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T09:23:16","slug":"watch-will-the-usas-radical-americas-cup-design-choices-pay-off","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/americas-cup\/watch-will-the-usas-radical-americas-cup-design-choices-pay-off-153130","title":{"rendered":"WATCH: Will the USA&#8217;s Radical America&#8217;s Cup Design Choices Pay Off?"},"content":"The\u00a0<a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/tag\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-americas-cup\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-custom-tracking-id=\"6108793997137827691\" data-hawk-tracked=\"hawklinks\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" data-label=\"37th America\u2019s Cup\">37th America\u2019s Cup<\/a> in Barcelona this autumn is getting ever closer, and as the event heaves into view we are continuing our look at the <a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/americas-cup\/americas-cup-boats-7-things-you-might-not-know-about-the-ac75s-129881\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-custom-tracking-id=\"2906419973274578104\" data-hawk-tracked=\"hawklinks\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" data-label=\"AC75\">AC75<\/a>s in our team-by-team design breakdown. Here America's Cup designer Thomas Tisson and Yachting World editor, Helen Fretter discus the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/tag\/luna-rossa\">Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli<\/a> team's <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/americas-cup\/americas-cup-boats-7-things-you-might-not-know-about-the-ac75s-129881\">America's Cup boat<\/a>\r\n<h2>Aerodynamics and Hull Design<\/h2>\r\nThe Italian team, known for its innovative designs and relentless pursuit of excellence, has unveiled a striking second-generation AC75 that pushes the boundaries of technology, but some things stay the same, such as the team's (now) traditional sleek, mirrored silver finish, which not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also serves an aerodynamic purpose.\r\n\r\nThe hull shape exhibits a deep, low-volume bustle, a design choice that contrasts with other teams' approaches. This design aims to reduce drag, allowing the boat to point higher into the wind and increase overall efficiency. The low-volume bustle minimises wetted surface area, crucial for reducing drag and improving performance in various sailing conditions, particularly in the choppy waters anticipated in America's Cup venue, Barcelona.\r\n\r\n<em>Article continues below...<\/em>\r\n\r\n[collection]\r\n<h2>Structural Innovations<\/h2>\r\nA notable structural change in the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli boat is the removal of traditional cross braces around the rudder. By eliminating these braces, the team has reduced weight and drag, enhancing the boat's hydrodynamic efficiency. This innovation also simplifies the rudder support structure, which is critical for maintaining stability and manoeuvrability. Additionally, the rudder now features a fairing arrangement to streamline the flow of water and air around it, further reducing drag.\r\n<h2>Weight Distribution and Foil Optimisation<\/h2>\r\nWeight distribution plays a crucial role in the performance of these high-speed America's Cup yachts. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli has focused on moving weight forward, thereby loading the main foil more effectively. This adjustment not only enhances the boat's stability but also improves its ability to lift and accelerate. By optimising the placement of weight, the team can achieve a balance that maximises speed and agility on the racecourse.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-152452\" src=\"https:\/\/keyassets.timeincuk.net\/inspirewp\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2024\/07\/240529_LRPP_B3_D17_257-630x354.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"630\" height=\"354\" \/>\r\n<h2>Crew Arrangement and Aerodynamic Gains<\/h2>\r\nThe layout of the crew and their operating environment has also seen significant changes. The helmsman's position has been shifted forward, a move aimed at gaining aerodynamic advantages. This new configuration reduces wind resistance but is potential at the cost of visibility, with a possible handling penaltly during critical manoeuvres.\r\n<h2>Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli AC 75 Conclusion<\/h2>\r\nLuna Rossa Prada Pirelli\u2019s latest AC75 is a testament to the team's dedication to innovation and excellence in yacht design. By focusing on aerodynamic efficiency, structural integrity, weight optimisation, and technological integration, they have created a boat that stands out in the competitive field of the America's Cup.\r\n\r\nAs the teams prepare to face off in Barcelona, it will be fascinating to see how these innovations impact their performance on the water. Keep following along as we continue to explore the cutting-edge developments in this thrilling race for nautical supremacy.\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2JMgfA4\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-120951 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/keyassets.timeincuk.net\/inspirewp\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2019\/05\/YW_JUNE19_-COVER-1-152x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"152\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a>If you enjoyed this\u2026.<\/h2>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div class=\"\"><em>Yachting World is the world's leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.<\/em><\/div>\r\n<div><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"\"><em>Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2JMgfA4\">latest offers<\/a> and save at least 30% off the cover price.<\/em><\/div><\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n<hr \/>","excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>American Magic&#8217;s new AC75, Patriot, has garnered significant attention due to its unique approach. While all the teams are bound by the same set of design rules, it&#8217;s the subtle variations and innovative interpretations within these boundaries that could determine who ultimately claims victory at the America&#8217;s Cup in Barcelona. The second generation of AC75s have seen incremental improvements across the board, yet American Magic&#8217;s Patriot stands out for several reasons. The American team has made some bold design choices that diverge from the more conventional paths taken by their rivals. Central to these decisions is the team&#8217;s focus on maximising aerodynamic efficiency and optimising the boat&#8217;s centre of effort. One of the most noticeable aspects of Patriot is its distinct hull design. Unlike other teams that have opted for more rounded, voluminous hulls, American Magic has taken a different route, creating a sleeker, lower-volume hull. This design is intended to reduce drag and increase the boat&#8217;s ability to generate lift, potentially giving Patriot an edge in lighter wind conditions. The lower freeboard\u2014 the distance between the deck and the waterline \u2014 also allows the team to increase sail area close to the water, which can generate more driving force with less windage. Another key innovation lies in the way American Magic has managed weight distribution. The team has worked diligently to reduce weight in critical areas, thereby allowing for more complex systems elsewhere on the boat. This includes the trimming systems, which are battery-powered and play a crucial role in adjusting the foils and sails during racing. Article continues below&#8230; By optimising weight distribution, Patriot is designed to achieve a balance between stability and performance, particularly in choppy conditions like those expected off the coast of Barcelona. The decision to use recumbent cyclists (cyclors) as the primary source of power for these systems also reflects American Magic&#8217;s willingness to experiment. While this choice has sparked some debate \u2014 given the lower energy output compared to more traditional grinding positions \u2014 the team believes that the aerodynamic gains and lower centre of gravity provided by the recumbent position outweigh the potential drawbacks. Furthermore, Patriot features innovative foil designs that could offer a competitive edge. The team has focused on optimising the flaps at the back of the main foil, allowing for more precise control of lift and drag. This, combined with the overall aerodynamic improvements, could enable Patriot to achieve higher speeds and better maneuverability in various wind conditions. However, with these bold choices comes significant risk. The question remains: will these radical design decisions translate into a performance advantage on race day? The true test will come when Patriot lines up against its competitors, where every nuance of design and strategy will be put to the ultimate challenge. In the unpredictable world of America&#8217;s Cup racing, innovation often walks a fine line between triumph and disaster. Whether Patriot&#8217;s unique design will give the USA the edge it needs to reclaim the Cup remains to be seen, but one thing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/americas-cup\/watch-luna-rossa-prada-pirellis-americas-cup-boat-innovations-152450\">&hellip;Continue reading &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3349,"featured_media":153131,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[687,123],"tags":[2506,569,1633],"review_manufacturer":[],"acf":[],"introduction":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153130"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3349"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=153130"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153130\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":158223,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153130\/revisions\/158223"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/153131"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=153130"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=153130"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=153130"},{"taxonomy":"review_manufacturer","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/review_manufacturer?post=153130"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}