Please select your home edition
Edition
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - LEADERBOARD

America's Cup - Kiwis sign Olympic Cyclist for the Tour de Bermuda

by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com NZ on 15 Feb 2017
Emirates Team New Zealand's new AC50 sailing for the second time from the Team's base in Auckland. February 15, 2017 Richard Gladwell www.photosport.co.nz
Emirates Team New Zealand put in a second foiling display on Auckland's Waitemata harbour ahead of the official launching of their AC50 tomorrow.

With brighter skies, the cycling team took their places on the pedalstals and used leg power to provide the hydraulic pressure necessary to run the AC50's control systems for the foils and wingsail.

The story broke this afternoon that top New Zealand cyclist Simon van Velthooven (28), a 2012 Olympic Bronze cycling medallist had been signed by the New Zealand America's Cup team.

Yesterday's impromptu unveiling of the row of four bike seats instead of where the other teams have standard grinding pedestals triggered questions as to where the advantage really lay.

In US Sailing media Oracle Team USA quoted one of their grinders as being able to produce 300watts continually over a 25-minute race (746 watts equals 1hp). In the 2010 America's Cup where a small engine was used to replace a grinding team on Oracle's 120ft trimaran. The change was rationalised on the basis of quoted output of 250watts per grinder - with the eight grinders aboard being capable of producing a combined total 2.5hp or the power of a small sewing machine for a period of 40 seconds until lactic acid cut in.


A 2003 study of Emirates Team NZ grinders concluded that the grinding technique and correct body position was vital to achieve maximum effective output. The best effort produced around 550watts for 5 seconds.

Top cyclist Fabian Cancellara (SUI) is reported to have produced over 435watts over a 15 minute period having spent 55 minutes riding at Olympic Gold medal pace. He amped his output to 540 watts for two laps of the 70-minute race.

Double Gold medal winning rower Eric Murray set the world record 5km ergo (rowing machine) time taking 14 min 56sec with an average output of 480 watts.

The statistics would tend to indicate that conventional grinding platforms are the least efficient in producing power over a sustained period. The ultimate test being whether there is a drop in output from the cyclists in an AC50 multihull below that achieved by conventional grinders on the water.









Zhik - Made for WaterNorth Sails Loft 57 PodcastRooster SB1 Inshore Range

Related Articles

Anticipating the 2024-2025 Vendee Globe
Vendee Globe, Sydney Hobart, Bermuda Gold Cup, and the International Women's Championship news The winds that we're experiencing today in Bellingham, Washington, will be mere table stakes for the 40 brave skippers contesting the 2024-2025 singlehanded Vendee Globe Race as they wend their way around our lonely planet by way of the three great capes.
Posted today at 4:00 pm
Tita and Banti named Team of the Year
Botín and Trittel win Rolex World Sailor of the Year The 2024 World Sailing Awards celebrated the elite of the sailing world, recognizing extraordinary achievements by athletes who have dominated their fields with unmatched dedication, skill, and resilience.
Posted today at 3:34 pm
Vendée Globe shows notable increases all round
A record 360,000 visitors enjoying the Race Village experience during the first week With a record 40 skippers at the start, a record 11 nationalities represented and 360,000 visitors enjoying the Race Village experience during the first week - a number which is up 20% compared to 2016 - the event is exceeding all expectations.
Posted today at 3:32 pm
Ewa Lewandowska wins World Sailing Award
For Young Female Sailor of the Year 2024 We are thrilled to announce that Ewa Lewandowska has been honored with the World Sailing Award for Young Female Sailor of the Year 2024!
Posted today at 2:28 pm
55th ORC Congress concludes in Singapore
2024 is another successful year with more than 14,000 certificates issued worldwide Representatives of boat owners and sailors from the 41 nations around the world that use rating certificates from the Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) met today in Singapore at the 55th edition of their annual Congress meeting.
Posted today at 2:03 pm
Maritimo 100
Combining the pedigrees of Oyster and Bill Barry-Cotter to create a racing yacht The 30.40m Oyster superyacht 'Maritimo 100' is now in the final stages of preparation, following the delivery from Newport, Rhode Island.
Posted today at 10:36 am
'Time will tell' SailGP callers rank the teams
SailGP commentators look at the strengths and weaknesses of two new and three bottom teams Third of a series as SailGP commentators Stevie Morrison and Lisa Damanin look at the strengths and weaknesses of the new teams and the bottom placed teams ahead of the upcoming SailGP Season 5.
Posted today at 9:47 am
Charlie Dalin - Vendée Globe favourite?
Ambre Hasson chats with the skipper of MACIF Santé Prévoyance With just days to go until the start of the Vendée Globe 2024, Ambre Hasson talked to Charlie Dalin, skipper of MACIF Santé Prévoyance, about his disrupted build to the race, designing his new IMOCA, and his hopes for the race itself.
Posted today at 9:32 am
Alex Thomson compilation from the 2020 Vendee
Alex Thomson sailing Hugo Boss, the state of the art IMOCA 60 had plenty on in the 2000 race British sailor Alex Thomson in his flyer, Hugo Boss, the state of the art IMOCA 60 foot foiler went from leading the 2020 Vendee Globe fleet, to stopped in the south Atlantic
Posted today at 7:58 am
Nacra 17 Europeans at Sferracavallo preview
The opening ceremony tomorrow kicks off the event The picturesque Gulf of Sferracavallo is set to host the Nacra 17 European Championships, welcoming 18 teams and 36 elite sailors from 13 nations for a week of thrilling competition.
Posted on 4 Nov