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Artemis Racing Test Boat Broke – No One Hurt

Artemis Racing’s test boat, the AC45x “T2” suffered serious damage. The wing came down and both crossbeams broke. No one was injured. The wing, a spare for their America’s Cup Class race yacht, was damaged slightly.

America's Cup challenger Artemis Racing AC45x test boat broke up. April 2017. Image: Royal Gazette
America’s Cup challenger Artemis Racing AC45x test boat broke up. April 2017. Image: Royal Gazette

In the photo above, the daggerboard lifting pole is sticking through the lower segment of the flap element of the wing. Fortunately none of the wing control system is in that part of the wing, so damage was minor. In the photo below you can see the repair work underway. The Clysar film was torn and a few ribs were broken.

America's Cup challenger Artemis Racing repairing wing for their America's Cup Class race boat. It was damaged when the test boat on which the wing was installed broke up.
Artemis Racing repairing wing for their America’s Cup Class race boat – April 2017. Image: Artemis Racing video.

The port hull is lying on its side in the photo below. Both crossbeams have broken. Artemis engineers are studying data from the boat to determine what caused the breakage.

America's Cup challenger Artemis Racing AC45x test boat broke up. April 2017. Image: Royal Gazette
America’s Cup challenger Artemis Racing AC45x test boat broke up. Image: Royal Gazette

Thanks to the Bermuda Royal Gazette for the photos. You can read their full article here.

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Video – First Racing in America’s Cup Class Catamarans

America’s Cup Class catamarans racing for the first time! Watch the pre-start between Oracle’s Jimmy Spithill and Land Rover BAR’s Ben Ainslie. With port tack entry, Oracle is allowed to enter the starting box 10 seconds ahead of starboard tack, right of way Land Rover BAR. But they are late and cannot cross in front of BAR. Both boats go into a dial up.

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America’s Cup Protocol Changes Allow Training Together

America's Cup Protocol Amendment 15
America’s Cup Protocol Amendment 15

Teams are now permitted to train together on 23 of the 69 days that remained before the first races of the round robin America’s Cup Qualifiers.
(i) March 22-26, 2017;
(ii) April 6-7, 2017;
(iii) April 10-12, 2017;
(iv) April 24-28, 2017;
(v) May 15-19, 2017;
(vi) May 22-23, 2017;
(vii) May 25, 2017;
(viii) May 26, 2017 – June 12, 2017.

The previous ban on sailing together was the result of an oversight. The protocol previously allowed the teams to train together on dates that were to be announced by the Commercial Commissioner at least a year before the first races of the America’s Cup Qualifiers. No dates were announced, effectively creating a ban.

Changes to the protocol can be made by agreement of the defender and the Challenger Commission. The commission makes its decision by majority rule, so at least three challengers must have voted for the change.

Watch a video clip of practice racing here.  Download the latest version of the Protocol here.

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