Pete Melvin, of Morelli & Melvin Design and Engineering, who came up with the draft design rule for the AC72. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com
After just a brief glance at the AC72 draft rule it is clear that materials science and reduction of drag will play important roles in the 34th America's Cup.
Anne Hinton put some questions concerning the AC72 to Pete Melvin, of Morelli & Melvin Design and Engineering, who came up with the draft design rule.
AH: Since drag increases as the square of velocity, will it be permitted for teams to cut away part of the webbing/trampoline, as was done on USA, please?
PM: No, there are trampoline rules for safety.
AH: Does the entire wing have to be composed of the same material - and also be uniform in weight/density throughout its height/width, please?
PM: No - see wing construction rules for allowed materials and processes.
The AC72. Image copyright America's Cup/www.americascup.com
AH: Given that taking a penalty with an opponent heading towards the finishing line at up to about 30 knots will be at least several times as expensive as with previous monohull America's Cups, are there any plans to make specific changes to the Racing Rules of Sailing for the America's Cup to keep the boats closer together in a situation in which one has a penalty to take, please? [The basis for this question is that BMW ORACLE Racing seem to have been indicating a desire to keep the boats together - in view of the image/show presented to the public...]
PM: The racing rules for the AC34 events are being reviewed but that is currently out of my area of expertise.
AH: Will you be part of the design team for the BMW ORACLE Racing AC72s, please?
PM: I cannot comment on this question at this time.
AH: Many thanks for your time and responses.
America's Cup
