Problems with the foil arms on the new America's Cup boats has set Emirates Team New Zealand's sailing programme back several months.
Team New Zealand veteran Ray Davies told sailing website yachtracing.life that there have been design problems with the foil arms on the new 75-foot foiling monohulls.
"Yes, the rumours are true and there was a setback. This is what happens when you push the boundaries of design - and if you don't do that the boats will be slow.
"We are working our way through the solution and the problem has been resolved," said Davies.
Emirates Team New Zealand concept drawings for the AC75's. Photo: Supplied: Emirates Team New Zealand
"With the new design there a few one-design components that had to be built and so we decided to spilt the responsibilities for those parts," he said.
"Team New Zealand took on the foil cant system for the actual mechanics of moving the arm up and down. That seems to have gone quite well and we have positive feedback from the teams.
Emirate Team New Zealand concept drawing. Photo: Supplied: Emirates Team New Zealand.
"Luna Rossa were in control of the foil arm itself and when we tested those foil arms they did actually fall below the design spec. So that was quite a setback in that area."
A new foil arm has now been designed.
"So we have binned the old design and all the teams now agree on this new structure and build method.
"It has set us back a few months back for sure but breaking foils in the America's Cup is not new
"It was a setback but not a major one - we can overcome it."
The boats have a launch date of not earlier than March 31st but that could now be affected.
"The other thing that has happened now is that we have had a couple of more teams come on line, so there could be a couple of flow-on effects as far as the scheduling is concerned for next year."
