PI 36

Earlier this week the Measurement Committee issued Public Interpretation No. 36 in response to a question about adjusting the forestay while racing. The text of the ruling:

Yes, it is permissible to change the rake of the mast while racing by changing the length of the forestay strop provided the length and attachment limitations of Rule 36.4 are satisfied at all times.

RN 58: Regatta Officials

Regatta Director Dyer Jones has recently circulated Regatta Notice #58 to all teams listing the regatta officials who will serve during some or all of Act 13 and AC 32. RN 58 (.pdf file) is available here.

PI 33

Today the Measurement Committee issued Public Interpretation No. 33 concerning how to properly measure mainsail E-girths. Excerpt:

The sketch in Appendix G is incorrect in that it shows the inboard E point as intersection of the vertical grid line and the perpendicular E girth lines. The E-girths shall be measured along lines perpendicular to the vertical grid line, from the luff to the leech as shown in the corrected sketch below.

Drawing issued by the Measurement Committee with PI 33.

Carrot Fibre Yachts?

According to recent press reports, scientists in Scotland have developed a revolutionary new material called CurranTM, made from microscopic fibres extracted from carrots. Similar to carbon fibre, it is lighter, stronger and can be moulded into almost any shape when it is combined with special resins.

Maybe this latest tech development is why the British have decided to Challenge for the next America's Cup? We are checking with Andy Green (GBR), but in the meantime....

Your Ed. has been copied on an email to ACC Technical Director Ken McAlpine asking if this new exotic fibre would be legal under Version 5 of the Class Rule. The email was from a senior (at least in terms of age if not also stature) member of the Challenger Commission, who wishes to remain anonymous so as not to embarrass his/her team give away any of his/her team's potential design developments.

Mr. McAlpine's terse reply said that he would take it up with the Measurement Committee. He did add that perhaps aging members of the Challenger Commission, including your Ed., should eat more carrots for the sake of their eyesight and lower tracts.

These carrot fibre press reports have also brought renewed attention to other low tech health benefits of this potentially high tech vegetable. Indeed, one hears ACM is considering opening up yet another restaurant in the Port America's Cup -- this one to specialize in dishes using Valencia's second-leading (only to oranges) agri-produce, arroz, which can be combined with the orange legume to make carrot-fibre treats.

Maybe this fibrous development will bring Andrew "Carrot Top" Johns (NZL, legal advisor to the 1988 Big Boat Challenge, and now a successful vegetable farmer) out of his AC retirement.

One thing seems certain -- America's Cup teams from countries with a rich agricultural industry will be rooting for this new material.

PI 32

Today the Measurement Committee issued Public Interpretation No. 32 concerning deflection of fixed appendages, which is in follow-up to PI 22. No doubt our dear readers of a more technical bent will find this one interesting. An excerpt:

In a “fixed” appendage that has its primary structure deforming under lift and drag forces, the use of secondary structure that only comes into play after a certain amount of deflection has occurred in the primary structure and then limits the amount of deflection would not be deemed to be “controlling” the deflections, provided none of the structure is actively controlled in any way.

Measurement Matters

Following unanimous agreement of the AC 32 "Competitors" (all Challengers and the Defender), ACC Technical Director Ken McAlpine (AUS) has issued two amendments to the AC Class Rule. Amendment No. 4 bans the use of masthead sails in the pre-start. Amendment No. 5 clears up confusion over the use of staysails when a spinnaker is not set, e.g., when the yacht is taking a penalty or the spinnaker has blown out.

Also, the Measurement Committee chaired by Mr McAlpine has issued Public Interpretation No. 31 concerning backstays.