Luc’s blog : Sun and Jacuzzi in Valencia
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From the Chase Boat, Luc Gellusseau observes analyses and comments on his 5th Americas Cup. Today’s comments: "sun and jacuzzi in Valencia."
En attendant © China Team
Luc Gellusseau is China Team operations director.
Within the 32nd America’s Cup, waiting on the water has become a habit.
It is true there isn’t any wind expected but the race committee has decided not to run races unless there is stable wind.
So we must wait… luckily there is some sun.
All the teams have gotten organized to protect themselves from the sun and the America’s Cup boats have sun canopies, some more elaborate than others.
Ours is very efficient and with its color and battens, it reminds us of sails off a Chinese junk….!
With each edition of the Cup, all the teams test their imagination to better the condition of the hull surfaces.
They don’t get anti-fouling or any similar type of paint. Besides, the rule forbids putting on a coating to help the boat slide through the water better while sailing....
HThe hull is polished and the surface is smooth by manual sanding with (600 then 1000 grit) sandpaper; everyday the boat is put ashore on its stand and it never spends more time in the water than for racing or at the dock while preparing for the days sailing.
But what is new is when the boat touches the water. In effect, a “smart” system of compressed air allows the hull to avoid developing slime on the surface. So we have the impression that the boat is sitting in a tub of bubbles like it was in a Jacuzzi.
Today, another new thing, the race director made us stay ashore: without a sun canopy on the boat but Longtze stays in it's tub of bubbles.
@+
Luc Gellusseau
Within the 32nd America’s Cup, waiting on the water has become a habit.
It is true there isn’t any wind expected but the race committee has decided not to run races unless there is stable wind.
So we must wait… luckily there is some sun.
All the teams have gotten organized to protect themselves from the sun and the America’s Cup boats have sun canopies, some more elaborate than others.
Ours is very efficient and with its color and battens, it reminds us of sails off a Chinese junk….!
With each edition of the Cup, all the teams test their imagination to better the condition of the hull surfaces.
They don’t get anti-fouling or any similar type of paint. Besides, the rule forbids putting on a coating to help the boat slide through the water better while sailing....
HThe hull is polished and the surface is smooth by manual sanding with (600 then 1000 grit) sandpaper; everyday the boat is put ashore on its stand and it never spends more time in the water than for racing or at the dock while preparing for the days sailing.
But what is new is when the boat touches the water. In effect, a “smart” system of compressed air allows the hull to avoid developing slime on the surface. So we have the impression that the boat is sitting in a tub of bubbles like it was in a Jacuzzi.
Today, another new thing, the race director made us stay ashore: without a sun canopy on the boat but Longtze stays in it's tub of bubbles.
@+
Luc Gellusseau
En attendant les régates © China Team
Luc Gellusseau @ Patrick Gripe