An M-32 (named for the length in feet) catamaran is an extremely unique sailing vessel. When it really gets going, 98% is actually above the water. The boat has 2 small hulls, no keel, and it stays upright because of its wide, low center of gravity.
The 2% of the catamaran that stays underwater is a piece of carbon fiber, known as a hydro foil. When you’re sailing along at 20-30 mph, you’re essentially “flying” above the waves of the given body of water.
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The media have had a chance to set sail, preview the race course, and absorb the catamaran knowledge of Tod Reynolds, America’s Cup World Series Event Director (more photos and artist renderings at this link). (For more on the history of the event itself go to this link)
“These guys (the sailors) spend more time in the gym and focused on nutrition than on the boat sailing,” Reynolds said.
Yes, like auto racing, this isn’t the old cliche of “a machine doing most of the work,” these are top notch elite athletes in prime physical shape.
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As Reynolds informs me, it’s a three pronged endeavor to make a winning catamaran:
1.) fitness and nutrition
2.) building the right boat
3.) building the right team.
The media preview sail had a two man crew, but on race day it’s five, and they’re in constant motion, working so hard that heart rate monitors have indicated their cardio systems working at 100% of max capacity during the heat of competition. You can see that on board when it’s time to “tac” (turn).
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In the middle of the watercraft lies a netting that feels like a trampoline. It really doesn’t look like much, and you’d probably think it’s a precarious place to be. However, it’s actually the sturdiest and most safest place on the entire boat.
It’s a good place for us observers to sit, especially when the vessel increases speed, and increase speed they will as they’ll top out in the 40s and 50s mph by next year. Cutting edge technology will be incorporated into the new designs.
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The organizers want to bring the America’s Cup competition closer to land, draw bigger crowds and of course, sail the catamaran faster. Chicago is the perfect backdrop to make all three of these goals an achievable reality; and then some.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
He also consistently appears on numerous talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram