Update
TOUGH – Terry Hutchinson It has taken a bit to get this journal entry started. After a month of reflection I start, I stop, I just can’t seem to find the right words… Disappointment, anger, frustration, all around pissed off wondering what else do we have to do to be successful in this regatta. Reminding myself that sport is cruel and the America’s Cup is the cruellest of all regattas! Twenty-two months of work and preparation for four weeks of racing,
win or go home. Sad for teammate Paul Goodison who succumbed to a rib injury at the conclusion of the round robins. An unforced error falling through a hatch that leaves us wondering ‘what if’ Goody had raced. Goody gave so much to our team, showed up every day and was instrumental in the development of Patriot, he deserved to race. In the same breath equally proud of step-in helm Lucas Calabrese,
Tom, Andrew and Michael for how they raced during the semi-finals. Getting us to the last day and asking the question of a Luna Rossa team with six years of preparation over six days. Demonstrating that we were prepared for injury and showing the racing skills of Lucas. Tommy’s [Slingsby] starting which evolved through the event to be
both calculated and accurate. So proud of our designers for thinking out of the box with the aerodynamic shape of Patriot. And our cyclors for producing the hydraulic power to race Patriot to the highest level without flinching when ‘criticised’. Also, developing the recumbent cyclor position inside Patriotchallenging themselves to keep improving. Our design team, shore team, support staff and families all gave
selflessly to the cause of winning the America’s Cup. Yet here we sit in defeat contemplating what could have been. As I said, sport and especially the America’s Cup is a cruel game. Not much more can be said except next play. Debriefing, learning,
absorbing, watching the match and the success of ETNZ. As we do with every programme, identifying the strengths, weaknesses and reaf- firming what we did well, but also taking it on the chin on what we can and have to do to be better if we expect to succeed. The debriefing is long and ongoing and the analysis just beginning in looking at Patriot’s performance versus the fleet. Lots to learn as we go forward. On this day we are 24 hours from the conclusion of AC37. What
we saw was an impressive display of yachting from both teams. Ineos was a consistent improver throughout the summer. What appeared to be a big late call when Dylan Fletcher was put on for Giles Scott proved correct. Improving the onboard chemistry and racing of Ineos. Ben was Ben. Rock solid, laser focused, and as he has done on countless occasions rose to the moment in AC37. First in the defeat
14 SEAHORSE
of Luna Rossa in the Louis Vuitton Cup final and then again in the Cup Match. Ultimately Ineos came up short in AC37 but I would argue that they got the absolute best performance out of Britannia. Inevitably the defender was better in a couple of key areas of performance that separated her from the fleet. Emirates Team New Zealand, what a standard! Not a lot of holes
in this programme and, while we were proud to take a race off the Kiwis, they were a different level once racing started in AC37. A couple of features that stood out: flight control consistency/
stability. The accuracy with which that boat was flown was impressive! Managing the ‘Pinocchio’ ballast perfectly above the water had an ‘autopilot’ look to it. The sequencing of logic and how the boat manoeuvred was a progression of almost two decades of a design team working continuously together. The sail programme developed by Burns Fallow did not miss a beat. Clever, efficient and suited perfectly to how the boat was moded and raced. Onboard tactical coms. Racing with the dual helmsmen takes a
lot of precise communication. Team NZ coach Ray Davies would instil discipline and clarity. The accuracy of flight control onboard ETNZ freed up the afterguard to have ‘free-flowing’ communication. The discussions between Nathan Outteridge and Andy Maloney were very clear in supporting high-percentage decision making. Not a lot was missed and, as Nathan commented once the job
was done, the starting on Day 3 of the event was not to their standard. Once sorted, the boat speed took care of the rest. Well done, ETNZ: an impressive and well-deserved win! From here it’s back to Annapolis for a rest, some J70 racing, and
back to Bella Mentewhich will be great fun. As always, I am eternally grateful to our American Magic team for their hard work and commit- ment. Hap, Doug, the members of the New York Yacht Club, my family and loved ones for their unending love and support that was given during AC37. Even in the darkest hours you provided light, thank you! Standing by, Barcelona for UA 991… and well-needed rest
AND THERE’S THE ANSWER – Jack Griffin The 37th America’s Cup defence concluded on Saturday 19 October with Emirates Team New Zealand closing out their third-in-a-row victory in the America’s Cup Match, with a 7-2 win over the challenger, Ineos Britannia. The last time a British yacht sailed in the America’s Cup Match was Tony Boyden’s Sovereign, in 1964. Although they lost the Match to the Kiwis, they bested four other challengers to win the Louis Vuitton Cup and the right to sail against the defending NZ team.
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