America’s Cup: Legs are back in fashion

When the Kiwi team showed up at the 2017 America’s Cup with their systems powered by leg cycling rather than arm grinding, it was the application of a known fact. That legs are stronger than arms is no surprise, but it was believed that crew mobility would be restricted.

Apparently not, but upon victory, Team New Zealand banned the practice for the 2021 America’s Cup. Bad optics to have bikers instead of sailors, but the AC75’s power needs missed the legs, so cyclers are back for 2024. It’s not like the crew is needed to manage a spinnaker…

However, critical to the power needs for the next America’s Cup is how the AC75 crew has been reduced from 11 to 8 people, and while the teams were initially quiet about their energy ideas, it has become clear that legs are back in fashion.

Among the ten people on the British challenger’s sailing team, four are listed as cyclors.

Following the publication of the AC37 Protocol and AC75 Class Rule on November 17, 2021, the AC75 Class Rule and AC Technical Regulations were finalized on March 17, 2022. The entry period opened December 1, 2021 and runs until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup may be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the venue reveal, confirming it would be Barcelona on by March 30, 2022. The 37th America’s Cup will be held in Summer/Fall 2024.

Teams revealed to challenge defender Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL):
• INEOS Britannia (GBR)
• Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI)
• Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA)
• NYYC American Magic (USA)

Training timeline: www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2022/04/21/training-calendar-for-37th-americas-cup/
Additional details: www.americascup.com/en/home

Source: America’s Cup Event Limited