Trimming an AC75 Mainsail

Paul Goodison explains just how complex and powerful an AC75 rig is and how he and other America's Cup mainsheet trimmers control them - Plus plenty more insights into how crews have climed the vetical learning curve as they get to grips with these incredible machines

[@braydeny]

Prize for the best interview and production of the Americas cup so far.

[@cjprimata]

Not really! If any thing very shalow

[@cindyullsee393]

Interviewer said controlling power of the main is crucial but then never asked about the role of the backstay in releasing power from the main re: capsize! Goodison basically said he struggled to know what all the buttons do on his controller. Oh dear!

[@peterebel7899]

Absolutely!

[@peterebel7899]

@@cindyullsee393 Do you have some world records in armchair sailing?

[@cindyullsee393]

@@peterebel7899 No world records in any type of sailing but I know the question I would like the answer to and it's kind of the penultimate question I would have thought, but perhaps interviewer forgot. As did Goodison as to the functions of his controller. I also know it probably wouldn't be good to be puzzling them out at 50knts during a hard manoeuvre if that's what happened but since no one asked... I can only watch & guess from what they do tell us. I definitely will be doing some armchair training this arvo tho, hopefully the seabreeze doesn't kill the expected souwester otherwise they might struggle to lay a course in time. Not I am not a weather expert either just my best guess. I'm actually hoping seabreeze comes in strong & Ben gets enough wind that he doesn't need the tow boat.

[@jchin9277]

I know nothing about sailing... but I am learning some very interesting things from this chat about the various control systems involved. Obviously I had no idea there is so much involved. Amazing...

[@MrGiuse72]

What a nice person he seems....I stil remeber he shouting to Dean "this is going to be difficult manouver" ! and the interview is BRILLIANT finally some serious stuff about tuning and trimming THANK YOU

[@alienlifeformresearch2280]

Excellent interview. Straightforward yet nuanced explanation from outstanding sailor .

[@larrydunn4626]

Goody is the one speed guy on AM that came out of this fiasco with his stock higher... Deano and Hutch are finished. I'd really like to see him (only him) in the next go-around. If he's mainsull trimmer again, I hope he gets a good decision making driver and experienced foiling monohull tactician/skipper instead of what he got stuck with.

[@huansanders3036]

This is quality content! Thanks!

[@MrARH]

Great interview - super interesting! If you get another one with Ineos or LR after PC Final could you ask the losing main trimmer to walk through tack-set-up, tack, get to speed, reduce drag at speed, and similarly gybe/topmark. Particularly what happens during the 10-20 secs pre/post maneouver and the steps involved from their perspective and what they are doing to the sail at each step. Didn't quite get to it in this interview (you ran out if time) and now AM team has gone home. Ditto the flight controller.

[@andycarter95]

Brilliant, what an insight from a man who knows!

[@ricklyons6197]

Great interview as usual All the questions I'd like to have asked

[@jeffcondell]

Excellent, thanks👍

[@johnwebster8433]

Great interview

[@kevinoshea346]

Good interview, nice guy.

[@jimhood1202]

The more I find out the more I want to know. 18 variables on the main alone, incredible. I wonder how long it would take an AI to reach the level these guys are at.

[@weatheranddarkness]

really good question actually.

[@tomw9078]

AI would probably be able to react to chabges better and maintain the optimal shape across a wider range of situations. The thing an AI would lack is it's ability to look ahead/up the course and pre-emptively.trim for a gust that hasnt happened yet

[@WillHirschUK]

@@tomw9078 pattern recognition in the surface of the water up ahead? Not sure why you'd think an AI'd have such a hard time!

[@alanfraser8713]

I know this is a stupid question but what is a Cunningham?

[@cjprimata]

Kkkk, face with smile hang on from the mirror

[@restlessperson5258]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cunningham_(sailing)

[@ats-3693]

Either Howard, Marion, Richie, or Joanie.

[@alanfraser8713]

@@restlessperson5258 thanks for the link

[@kevinoshea346]

Windsurfer’s don’t have Cunningham’s. Just a downhaul At the tack to set the sail on the mast and bend it to set.

[@nroose]

But they were also not powered up in straight line speed. And there is no talk on the comms about the power or the sail shape during the races. Seems like this is not actually addressing the real issues.

[@cjprimata]

Repete? Repetitum! Hoo god desperation

[@wingsail7]

basically the Princeton sailwing ... not so good