Cup Experience

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Photos: OTUSA speed mods

Even in the midst of the competition, the teams continue to develop their boats with modifications to make them faster.

America's Cup In Race 1 OTUSA used daggerboards with the winglets set at an acute angle to the main board. This makes foiling more stable but has more drag.
In Race 1 OTUSA used daggerboards with the winglets set at an acute angle to the main board. This makes foiling more stable but has more drag.
America's Cup OTUSA in Race 1 with the longer bowsprit. Notice the kingpost below the corner of the jib, and the stay from the bottom of the kingpost to the end of the bowsprit.
OTUSA in Race 1 with the longer bowsprit. Notice the kingpost below the corner of the jib, and the stay from the bottom of the kingpost to the end of the bowsprit.
America's Cup Race 8 OTUSA
By Race 8 OTUSA had made modifications to the boat including replacing the long bowsprit that could carry a gennaker with a shorter one. This eliminated the weight and drag of the bowsprit plus a kingpost and a stay. Different daggerboards have the winglets set at an obtuse angle to the main board. This gives less drag, making the boat faster, but it is less stable and harder to sail.