Tom Slingsby, strategist on the AC72 and sailing team manager for the 2017 America’s Cup, organized a “foiling camp” in Moths to help the OTUSA sailors improve their foiling skills.
“When you sail these boats, everyone’s got a smile on their face.” – Jimmy Spithill
The Oracle sailors clearly agree with Chris Draper of Luna Rossa and Nathan Outteridge of Artemis Racing about the benefits of sailing small foiling boats:
Kinley Fowler: “They’re definitely the hardest boat I’ve ever sailed in my life… It’s the perfect learning platform for us.”
Kyle Langford: “It’s good to get back to the basics… It’s good for all of us, no matter what your position is on the big boat – to be able to trim, to be able to steer – to get a good handle on the foiling.”
Tom Slingsby: “I think just sailing these small foiling boats and then adapting that to an America’s Cup with a big foiling catamaran, it just gets everyone on the same page as what we’re looking for with the boat… Everyone learns quickly. It’s a cheaper way – everyone can get out there and sail by themselves and learn, and then they can bring that knowledge back to the bigger boat.”
Added Benefit for the Public – Get to Know the Sailors Better
Small boat sailing lets the public hear the banter among the sailors – developing the “personalities” we need to engage the audience better. At 1:38 in the video you’ll see this exchange:
AC72 wing trimmer Kyle Langford: “Jimmy’s obviously the helmsman of the (big) boat and he should be the best at steering (a Moth). I don’t think he’s beaten anybody in a race. It’s good to see the trimmers and the grinders getting races off the helmsman. So I think he’s got a bit to prove today.”
Skipper Jimmy Spithill’s reply: “I’m surprised by his statement about beating me in every single race, because I actually saw it quite differently, funny enough. Kyle Langford doesn’t know what’s gonna hit him.”