“Adverse current is helping downwind because the conveyer belt is moving against the wind and increasing the apparent windspeed the boat feels. Windspeed is king in the AC72. Increasing the windspeed makes up for the adverse current.”
If one of the crews wants to hydrofoil upwind they’ll be looking to avoid adverse current because it slows the apparent windspeed. The jury’s still out as to the benefits up upwind hydrofoiling, but Emirates Team New Zealand tactician Ray Davies thinks it’ll occur.
“It’s almost routine now,” said Davies. “I’d expect it to play a role in the Cup.”
