WE’RE ESSENTIALLY
TRYING TO FLY A BOAT
WITH NO ENGINE AND
WE’RE NOT IN A COCKPIT.”
LUMINOR 1950 REGATTA ORACLE
TEAM USA 3 DAYS CHRONO FLYBACK
AUTOMATIC TITANIO – 47MM
“We might be doing up to 50 mph in 20
mph winds, so you’re feeling 70 mph. It’s a
very tough environment.”
Spithill is referring to high-speed envi-
ronment in which America’s Cup sailors
now fi nd themselves. This modern era of
America’s Cup racing originated in 2010
with the 33rd edition of the race. That
contest pitted Oracle Team USA against
Switzerland’s Alinghi in massive 90-foot
trimarans. Team USA triumphed, employ-
ing a rigid wingsail that gave it a decisive
advantage, signaling the star of this new era
in America’s Cup racing.
In the 34th America’s Cup, Team USA
made a now legendary comeback, over-
coming an 8-1 defi cit to Team New Zealand.
Spithill and Oracle racked up eleven wins,
continuously improving their 72-foot foil-
ing catamaran during the two-week race
to score the nine points needed to beat the
Kiwis. With these wins, the format was cast
for a much faster, more dynamic style of
competition in the event that is the pinnacle
of sailing.
TOP SECRET
Wingsail-driven, foiling catamarans made
from carbon fi ber and other composites with
sophisticated aerodynamics and top-secret
control systems were the weapons used by
Oracle Team USA and the fi ve teams chal-
lenging for the Cup race this year. All are
15-meter (50-foot) ACC yachts similar to the
boat Team USA launched before our eyes
this past February.
HOW FAST ARE THEY?
“These boats (the ACC 50s) would
destroy the 72s we raced last time,” Spithill
quips. During the last America’s Cup Oracle
Team USA and Team New Zealand compet-
ed with 72-foot foiling catamarans which
flew on their foils downwind and upwind
for much of each race, briefly touching
down during some maneuvers. The top
speeds averaged by these boats were in
the 50-53 mph range.
SUMMER 2017 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | 79