America’s Cup 2024: Plastic danger for sailors as Aussie youth crew hook bag
There’s more than long waits for the wind or hazardous sea state causing frustration and issues at the America’s Cup - there’s also potentially race-ending garbage and debris in the water.
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Before the 2016 Olympics in Rio there were dead dogs and fridges to navigate and while assorted debris on the America’s Cup racecourse is less smelly and bulky it is still causing headaches for sailors - including the Australian Youth team.
The Andoo Australia crew hooked a plastic bag on the wingfoil of their borrowed AC40 in a practice race in Barcelona this week as they prepared for their now delayed opening races of the Youth America’s Cup.
They were one of a number of crews who have fallen foul of this dangerous speed bump which can cause an immediate deceleration of boats and potentially cause a gear damaging, body bruising crash.
In the case of the Australians it luckily just cost them crucial time trying to unwrap it off the foil.
Australian starboard trimmer Max Paul said there was some luck involved for the Aussies as it is far easier to dislodge plastic from a wingfoil than a rudder.
“You’d have to go for a swim for that,’’ said Paul, a 49er skiff sailor who campaigned unsuccessfully for a spot in the class at the Paris Olympics raced off Marseille but is one of four racing crew aboard the Australian youth AC40.
Large pieces of wood have also been sighted on the ocean course along with other debris more common in certain wind conditions than others.
“We hooked a bag, it happens all the time in foiling racing and it usually created trouble but we were able to flick it off by putting the board up and down.
“There’s a lot of sticks and things that have blown off the beach in some conditions.’’
Australian 2012 Olympic gold medallist Nathan Outteridge, in Barcelona as a helmsman on the defender New Zealand crew which has been competing in the Louis Vuitton Cup, sailed past dead dogs, rats and cats during training sessions in the lead-up to the Rio Games.
A teammate at the time said he had damaged his boat when it hit a submerged fridge in the polluted waters.
Debris is a common issue for sailors, including Sydney to Hobart crews who have reported losing rudders or sustaining race-ending bow damage after hitting containers, pieces or wood or partially submerged objects en route to Hobart.
Light winds initially delayed the start of the Youth regatta before the Pool A fleet - comprised of teams associated with America's Cup Challengers - finally completed two of their four races in gusty winds and nasty seas early Wednesday (AEST).
If there is no further qualifying racing for Group A overnight, NYYC American Magic, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, and Athena Pathway will go through to the semi-finals.
Australia is due to race in Group B - with five other invited teams- on Thursday, a day later than expected due to lost races the first day.
Eight fleet races have been scheduled with the top three from both pools moving to the semi-finals on September 22 and the two-boat match-racing finale on the opening day of the Louis Vuitton Cup final series.
The Challenger teams are Italy, USA, Switzerland, Great Britain, France and the America’s Cup defenders New Zealand.
Australia’s fellow in invited teams are from Sweden, Netherlands, Germany, Canada and Spain.
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Originally published as America’s Cup 2024: Plastic danger for sailors as Aussie youth crew hook bag
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