Team New Zealand’s debut race in Barcelona was short-lived.
"In their opening race of this week’s preliminary regatta - their first official race aboard their new AC75 Taihoro - the defender was gifted a win as Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli were forced to retire early.
The most anticipated contest of the day came to a deflating end midway through, after the Italians splashed down on the first leg of the race. The crew onboard appeared helpless to prevent it, as they could be heard exclaiming they had “lost the boat” before it hit the water and parked up." (Electrical problems apparently)
@KiwiBird I find it amazing that such a massive boat just hangs like that in the air. What a difference from the standard sailboats. A marvel of technology.
@KiwiBird Technologically amazing for sure. Incredible how thin the foils are. And how thin the "sails" are (height/width ratio). The whole thing is incredible.
Btw, I'm sitting out on my boat at the moment doing really well at about 7.5 knots. 🤣
@Stephie I'm not sure you want me as teacher for that ... Back when I was about 15-16ish I was out on a HobieCat with a friend. Very windy day and we are out on the swings hiked over. Something like this:
(not me)
We tacked over hard and I swung to the other side ... but missed my footing and swung back to midship and poof, over she went. The wind caught the trampoline and turtled us in shallow water ... mast stuck in a sand bar. 🤦♀
@sarabee1995 I did that once with a Sunfish and after receiving 5 minutes of training by an instructor, he let me out and barely 30 yards off shore, the mast started moving to one side and dopey me, I pulled on that thingamabob rope and the boat ended up tilting over and got the mast stuck in the sand.
It was one of those "all inclusive" hotels in St. Lucia and those Sunfish sailboats were part of the deal. That was my one and only time as a skipper.
@Stephie Lol, okay, you have an excuse then. I grew up on the water both under sail and under power. I had no excuse which is why my friend was so pissed at me.
