Clearing space to record more Cup results on the Auld Mug

This radical re-shaping of bodies for different athletic functions is not uncommon at the elite level. When rowing gold medallist Rob Waddell came into the America’s Cup as a grinder for the 2003 Kiwi defence, his physical transformation from lower body to upper body strength was astonishing. Then he switched it all back again to return to rowing.

“I feel like a bit of a triathlete at the moment,” Van Velthooven laughs, “trying to figure out what sport you like the most. Arm grinding was fun, but I am excited to be going back to legs. It has reinvigorated my passion for biking.

“It is nice to get out for training rides on the road compared with huge hours in the gym on an arm grinding machine.

“That is one of the big advantages of the bike, being out in the fresh air. There were a lot of hours arm grinding in the gym, watching movies.”

Although Van Velthooven is fully investing in this physical transformation, he is open to the possibility that cycling might not be the ultimate choice, even though ETNZ design chief, Dan Bernasconi, has all but publicly committed to the concept.

Given that the crew numbers under the new protocol reduce from 11 to eight and the success of the cyclor system in Bermuda, it would seem a foregone conclusion that cyclors are the way to go. During the Bermuda regatta, it was touted that legs cranked out about 30% more power than arms.

“That is a pretty high number,” Van Velthooven comments. “After arm grinding and seeing the numbers some of the guys put out, it was pretty impressive. We would need to do a solid analysis from the Auckland campaign.

“We will see if legs are the correct choice. It could be we do something radical that requires looking at going down a different path. From a technical point of view, there is room for improvement over what we did in Bermuda, but the bike itself has been developed for over 100 years. The body position, the seating, chain, sprocket and crank development have all been going on for a long time, but no doubt marginal gains can be made everywhere.

“We could go to recumbent bikes, or there may be other variations that enable you to put out more power. Every Kiwi loves dreaming up ideas of what you can do. There are experts that know more than me, but you add what you think you can contribute.

“Obviously, I had input in Bermuda. You always think out loud within the closed doors of the team and everybody makes a contribution.”

Power, however, was not the only benefit of the cycling system. Using legs also freed up arms and hands to perform other functions. Blair Tuke, for example, controlled the foiling height while pedalling through manoeuvres, while Josh Junior and Andy Maloney kept their eyes out of the boat adding valuable tactical input.

However, the team was always clear that cyclor power alone was not the winning factor in Bermuda, nor will it be in the next Cup regatta.

Apart from the readmission of cyclors, the Protocol stipulates broadly welcomed changes that will improve performance and also create costreduction opportunities.

The crew reduction and elimination of the bowsprit, running backstays and code zero sails reduces weight by close to 1000kg, which, with the addition of wider wingspan on the foils, will improve light air lift-off and performance.

Teams will be limited to building one new AC75, but will compete in preliminary regattas with new AC40 yachts, which can be modified for testing and development programmes, but must return to onedesign configuration for racing. The AC40s will also be used for a Youth America’s Cup and a Women’s America’s Cup regatta.

Other innovations in the protocol include more transparency, with shared reconnaissance programmes and a commitment to allow fly-onthe-wall documentary filming throughout the campaigns. This is with a view to emulating the highly successful Drive to Survive series, which has been shown to raise the Formula One fanbase by as much as 30%.

Following the release of the protocol, the next milestone was the December 1 opening date for challengers to lodge their entries. RNZYS Commodore Aaron Young declined to identify the teams, but confirmed that three teams plus the Challenger of Record, INEOS Team UK, had entered.

“Needless to say the email and phones were busy! We see this as a very positive outcome given the hard work the RNZYS and ETNZ have put in since March 2021. It certainly shows that the America’s Cup is, after more than 170 years, still the ‘one’ you want to win in our sport.

“There will always be controversy with any protocol and what things might look like, but that is what is unique about the America’s Cup: to make the rules, first you must win!

“We should also remember that we haven’t had more than five challengers since 2007, after which the class of boat changed, so this is an encouraging start to entries for the 37th America’s Cup.”

The next deadline is March 31 for the venue announcement. Four venues are in contention: Auckland, Ireland, Spain and

BOB GORDON AREINZ

A lifetime of high action sailing in M-Class and 18ft skiffs

027 475 9025 ı b.gordon@barfoot.co.nz ı www.barfoot.co.nz

Bob Gordon has been a fixture in the Auckland sailing scene for many decades. He raced M-Class, represented New Zealand in 18ft skiffs and has been an RNZYS Member for 50 years.

Simon Van Velthooven (left) spent thousands of hours in the gym reshaping his body for arm-grinding in the 36th America’s Cup.

Saudi Arabia, but ETNZ CEO Grant Dalton hinted at a possible “bolter” yet to be identified.

The venue will determine the dates of the next Cup regatta, but it will take place in 2024, which is also an Olympic Year. This presents a dilemma for Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, who in 2021 became the first sailors to win an Olympic medal and the America’s Cup in the same year.

Dalton made it clear that doing both in 2024 would not be an option. At the time of writing Burling and Tuke had not committed to a return to ETNZ.

In October, ETNZ signed Australian Nathan Outteridge onto the team as a helmsman. Outteridge is a catch for any team. With his two Artemis America’s Cup campaigns and high-on-the-leaderboard performances at SailGP, he brings plenty of the requisite skills to the table.

The appointment is seen as both a defensive and aggressive move by Dalton in light of Burling and Tuke continuing to resist signing up to the New Zealand defence campaign. At the time of the announcement, Burling and Tuke issued a joint statement welcoming the appointment as a “positive” step for the team.

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BOB GORDON AREINZ

027 475 9025 ı b.gordon@barfoot.co.nz ı www.barfoot.co.nz

Bob Gordon grew up in the Eastern Bays of the Waitematā Harbour. Added to that, his nearly three decades in the property business have given him a unique insight into the area and an unmatched record in the market.

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