Teams Bare All On "Unveiling Day"

The mystery is over. January 7 was "Unveiling Day" in Auckland. Team Allinghi and Oracle BMW elected to continue with the boats that have brought them to this level of the competition (SUI-64 and USA-76 respectively). Both have conventional hulls. Visually, both appeared slightly flat on the bottom, suggestive of a downwind speed feature.

Alinghi’s SUI-64 is the same boat it has used throughout the Louis Vuitton Cup, and is distinctive for its small, narrow and deep rudder. The keel strut on the boat was very wide in comparison to the other boats revealed today and the mast was further forward relative to the keel than the other boats. The keel bulb itself appeared to be similar to that used by Team New Zealand in 2000, with winglets attached at the back third of the bulb. The graphic on the bulb parts from the fashion logo design we are used to seeing - it is a cartoon image of an upside down Swiss cow with the head and body on the bulb, with it's legs/udder extending upwards on the keel.

“Our goal was to come out fast in Round Robin One and just keep moving forward,” Grant Simmer referring to the abundant development time winners in the upper bracket enjoy. “Today people will focus on appendages and hull shapes, but you shouldn’t underestimate the effect of small detail changes and the tuning of these boats. This can result in big differences on the race courses. We’ve spent over 1100 hours on testing and in-house racing and SUI-64 is product of that work.”

“The boat is very narrow, very U-shaped compared to the last generation,” designer Rolf Vrolijk explained. “This works together with the sail and mast development program.

In comparison, the Oracle BMW Racing team’s USA-76 had a relatively large rudder, smaller trim tabs, and the keel bulb winglets were positioned right at the back of the bulb. The keel strut itself was tapered and shaped. A very effective mode for upwind performance and maneuvering.

“We’ve done a lot of work in the last few months, improving the boat and appendages, the sails and the rig, and we’re hoping that we’re peaking now in time to beat Alinghi and then Team New Zealand,” said Oracle BMW designer Bruce Farr. “In comparison to SUI-64 we have a slightly smaller keel fin and it’s tapered. Our bulb is shorter and higher and we have our wings at the back of the bulb, rather than the center of the bulb. We’re quite a bit narrower than them, especially at the waterline.”

TNZ's "Hula"

Team New Zealand followed the challenger unveilings and stole the show. The crew was dressed in hawaiian shirts as the skirts were dropped on both NZL-81 and NZL-82 for the public to see. Both hulls sport appendages. They are best detected by looking for the thin gap line. It is positioned about a meter behind the keel, and runs back behind the rudder, effectively adding length and volume to the aft section of the boat. Why? Because a longer waterline equals more speed. The two best photographs of the TNZ technology shown to date are posted at http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/hula.asp

The team has nicknamed the modifciation "Hula" - short for hull appendage. The Hula isn't an add-on to a conventional hull, a false bottom or a second skin. "It's not a separate part. We drew the boat as we envisioned it, with a low transom and the underwater sectional area distribution that we wanted, and then decided where to cut an appendage," Team New Zealand principal designer Clay Oliver said.

Alinghi has filed questions with the international jury as to whether the "Kiwi Clip-Ons" are within the rules. Oracle had its rules experts reviewing all the details, bud did not protest before the January 8, 3 p.m. (NZT) cut-off. What's the beef? The challengers think the suspended second skin can't maintain the rule of not touching the hull when the hull is deformed by the rig loads, or when the appendages meet with high water pressure loads in tight maneuvering or strong weather conditions.

Side View of "Hula" gap

“We had to undergo a very rigorous process with the Measurers,” said Tom Schnackenberg, Team New Zealand leader and design team coordinator. “They laid down stipulations that (outside the permitted attachment zone - a 500mm strip down the centreline) the appendage may not touch the hull during racing. Their demands were quite stringent. We have made sure the Hula does not touch the hull at any time. They would not have given us a certificate unless we could prove that.”

Mike Drummond, TNZ designer, noted that the Hula did not come without costs. The necessary gap between the appendage and the hull created friction drag and the requirement for a very rigid structure added weight, both of which would be penalties in light air conditions.

Also, the additional weight of the Hula represented weight lost from the bulb, which would reduce stability in heavy conditions. Nevertheless, the team clearly believes the advantages outweigh the disadvantages and took great lengths to keep the appendage secret for as long as possible.

TNZ has not selected which boat it will compete in as of yet, so both had to be shown publicly. TNZ will have to hold to the "no change" period for the next 10 days.

[Editor's Note: To read about Laurie Davidson's comments on these designs, see the article Laurie Davidson Comments On Remaining Designs.]

Technical Tidbits

***Burden Of Proof - The International Jury has determined the procedures for any team wanting to protest Team New Zealand’s controversial hula appendage, and says clear and compelling evidence that it touched the hull outside of the permitted attachment zone during racing would be required.

The two Team New Zealand yachts which carry hula attachments have both been given certificates of compliance by the Measurement Committee. If the Measurement Committee believes a yacht has moved out of compliance for any reason, it can notify the Race Committee which will then lodge a protest with the International Jury.