Brits having a hard time in AC?

[Daydream believer]

and what sounds like bad luck hitting floating nets (TBC) knocked him out. Remember that the French favourite didn’t last 4 days before returning to Les Sables.

Slightly off thread here, but I will take issue on that comment. It is not bad luck. It is bad design. It is a really big chance that the boat is going to hit something somewhere- Just look at other round the world attempts where impact damage has happened. The design needs to be adapted to allow for it.
Do not ask me how. I am not a designer. Perhaps an impact pin to allow an appendage to lift up. I have no idea , but someone needs to sort it. Alternatively omit the foils. I cannot see them carrying on to a wider use if development does not solve the problem. For instance a friend of mine had the transom ripped off his nearly new moth when he caught a partially sunken buoy. Can you imagine cruisers with foils hitting lobster pots???

 

[Daydream believer]

If the organisers realise that there is marketability in tall ships then the next AC will be in wooden two masted schooners with cotton sails!

Maybe that wouldn't be such a bad idea. They would probably be cheaper to build.

We sometimes have a Thames barge race start from our club & it is like watching paint dry. If one were to replace the bearded old farts with the Ben Ainsle rugby types helming their carbon wheels & staring at laptops, that we have in AC boats it would look absolutely awful. But perhaps they might actually get a move on. Dunno how the Labrador would take to it though.

 

[LONG_KEELER]

Slightly off thread here, but I will take issue on that comment. It is not bad luck. It is bad design. It is a really big chance that the boat is going to hit something somewhere- Just look at other round the world attempts where impact damage has happened. The design needs to be adapted to allow for it.
Do not ask me how. I am not a designer. Perhaps an impact pin to allow an appendage to lift up. I have no idea , but someone needs to sort it. Alternatively omit the foils. I cannot see them carrying on to a wider use if development does not solve the problem. For instance a friend of mine had the transom ripped off his nearly new moth when he caught a partially sunken buoy. Can you imagine cruisers with foils hitting lobster pots???

When foils came on the scene, I was surprised how narrow the chord was. Obviously, you don't more drag
than you have to but perhaps there may have to be some compromises on size and strength. Unfortunately,
if made stronger, it might rip out the root attached to the hull which could be serious. As more data becomes
available I'm sure they will find a way.

The Vendee is probably the best proving ground sailing has.

 

[Frogmogman]

When foils came on the scene, I was surprised how narrow the chord was. Obviously, you don't more drag
than you have to but perhaps there may have to be some compromises on size and strength. Unfortunately,
if made stronger, it might rip out the root attached to the hull which could be serious. As more data becomes
available I'm sure they will find a way.

The Vendee is probably the best proving ground sailing has.

Yes, but in the IMOCA 60s it's completely different foil technology to the AC boats.

 

[Resolution]

Alternatively omit the foils

I agree that designers need to see if foils can be more crash-resistant. But omit them completely? Not likely whilst their speed advantage is so tremendous. Even if there was only a 10 percent chance of getting round on foils without major damage my guess is that most competitors would choose foils.

 

[Wansworth]

As long as they experiment and build with their own money let them get on with it,I would suggest a Grenadier plonked on the deck of the AC boat might help. If not good advertising for the Inios group,or would that make them French.

 

[dunedin]

Sadly Day 3 was even more bad news. Two more losses, one by nearly a lap (in a 3 lap race) when they dropped off the foils and couldn’t get flying again, whilst the other boat remained foiling.

 

[Kukri]

The boat is a dog. Simple as that.

 

[Ravi]

Sadly Day 3 was even more bad news. Two more losses, one by nearly a lap (in a 3 lap race) when they dropped off the foils and couldn’t get flying again, whilst the other boat remained foiling.

I watched it from behind the sofa. The best thing about it was Ben"s impressive use of nautical language over the Comms.. ?

 

[Daydream believer]

If I was the sponsor, I would seriously think about pulling the plug now, before they bought more embarrassment upon the brand.
Benny boy needs the chop a bit sharpish.

 

[wully1]

Benny boy needs the chop a bit sharpish.

Yup...He is way beyond his competence level - they should have kept him as the driver and let someone who knows what they are doing to run the whole programme..

 

[Kukri]

It’s part of the long tradition of overhyped incompetence in all UK AC challenges

 

[Wansworth]

Britain always plays best the underdog.....

 

[Kukri]

I particularly like the duffel coats and yachting caps.

 

[Daydream believer]

I particularly like the duffel coats and yachting caps.

Years ago I always reverted to duffel coat when it got too cold for thermal gear.

 

[Wansworth]

Corinthian,best explains the brits ,nothing wrong with that buy we are not winners

 

[matt1]

If I was the sponsor, I would seriously think about pulling the plug now, before they bought more embarrassment upon the brand.
Benny boy needs the chop a bit sharpish.

I think “Ratty” has done enough damage to his brand himself Ben being off pace at this point is unlikely to take his brand lower!

Ben is the fastest, most talented inshore sailor we have...by some margin. Unfortunately we can’t yet say the same about the boat. Fingers crossed the mk2 foils address the issue

 

[Wansworth]

Years ago I always reverted to duffel coat when it got too cold for thermal gear.

Exactly,shows gentleman corinthians in their element,winning is for others?

 

[Bobc]

Fingers crossed the mk2 foils address the issue

What Mk2 foils? We've already used our allocation. All they can do not is modify the existing ones.

 

[wully1]

Corinthian,best explains the brits ,nothing wrong with that buy we are not winners

What an appalling attitude.