Artemis Racing training on the AC45 in Auckland. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com
by Artemis Racing team
Santiago Lange is one of Argentina’s most famous sailors. He has competed in five editions of the Olympic Games across dinghy, keelboat and multihull events, winning bronze medals in the Tornado with Carlos Espinola in Athens in 2004 and in Beijing in 2008.
Lange’s sailing experience however, extends far beyond the Games. He has competed in two editions of the Volvo Ocean Race, first onboard Team SEB on Leg one of the 2001-2002 edition and as Watch Captain on Telefonica Black in 2009. He holds four World Championship titles, in the Tornado (2004) and Snipe (1985, 1993 & 1995) and was part of the Swedish Victory Challenge syndicate during the 2007 America’s Cup.
Lange gave the following interview regarding multihulls in the America’s Cup.
Tell us why it’s better to race the America’s Cup with catamarans and not monohulls?
In my opinion, the America’s Cup has to be the pinnacle of our sport in terms of design and sailors. The Version 5 boats (NR: America’s Cup boats, 2007) clearly were not. I am convinced that the catamarans meet these requirements very well for the America’s Cup. The AC72 will sail upwind at close to 20 knots and 30 knots downwind. With 11 crew this will be very demanding and everything will have to be very smooth. The design challenges will be very interesting as well.
Why catamarans?
The radical difference between catamarans and monohulls is when the cat has two hulls in the water. The AC72 will be flying a hull with 6 knots of wind. With one hull in the water, the boat acts as a monohull, but has stability without needing lead and it is very sensitive to the trim of sails because she loses stability with the heel (opposite to a monohull). The feel is very similar except that the catamaran is much more efficient. I think a lot of people are against catamarans without actually knowing much about them.
I also see no reason why match racing has to be sailed in slow boats. My recent experience, sailing with people who never have been match racing on catamarans, was that everyone was amazed by how great they are to sail.
Tell us about the AC45?
The AC45 sails very well and is well balanced. I was personally concerned with the handling and logistics of the wing. At the moment for the AC45 it does not seem to be serious, however I still think we have to work on the AC72 in this regard.
Full article at: Artemis Racing Team
