AC45 night time mooring in Auckland. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com
by America's Cup media
As ACRM prepares to welcome additional AC45 catamarans to its Auckland base, the team has been looking at new systems in anticipation of an additional four boats coming on line within the next few weeks.
One of the first things to address was overnight storage of the boats, so ACRM is introducing the night shift.
“We started the process last night with new mooring equipment, which we are trialling in preparation for additional boats in the next few weeks,” said ACRM boat captain Troy Tindill. “Everything went to plan and the boat sat comfortably overnight in a 10-15 knot breeze so we are gaining confidence that we will be ready to accommodate more boats down here pretty soon.”
While the mooring saves the logistics of craning the boat out of the water after a day of testing, it instead requires a night watch system. “We have one night watchman on board, as the boat does swing at night so we need to keep an eye on things,” commented Tindill. “And with a live band playing at a nearby pub til 3am, he didn’t have to worry too much about falling asleep on the job.”
Four teams will take delivery of their new boat platforms this week from Core Builders Composites and Cookson Boats. During the Competitor Forum in Auckland last week, the teams did a draw to determine which boat each would receive.
The first four teams who ordered an AC45 will spend the next two weeks painting, assembling, and fitting out their new boats. It is expected that the first of the teams will be sailing the week of March 15. The teams will announce their own plans over the coming weeks. With the ACRM boat, the AC45 fleet in Auckland will grow to five. Additional AC45s remain under construction for later delivery.
Once the four new boats join the ACRM boat on the water, up to three of the five AC45s may be moored in the Auckland Viaduct each evening.
Meanwhile AC45 testing continues.
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