in 2007 Basilica an exreme 40 (now the volvo 40 class) took on beach cats of ALL varieties in the LOCHNESS Monster race , over 50 miles winward leeward , she was miles ahead on the water - no contest .

I would hazard a guess the new AC 45 is the same league ahead of the volvo 40 .

Much as I love racing beach cats , its down on the knees to these mighty boats

Finally we will see some two boat testing by Oracle Racing,
IMHO these are the best AC45 pics yet:
http://www.martin-raget.com/index.php?lang=fr&fn=folio&FolioID=1892&co=3

cool stuff.

Nice, thanks for sharing!

Notice the slot when going to weather? At the beam it seems really small, but obviously, they know what they're doing. And dropping the jibs off the wind?

Spectacular! Forget the planned update to the N-20 sail package, I think a wing is in order...

You can take the sailor off of the monohull, but you can't take...

Mike

The X40s have been dropping their jibs for years actually.

By the time these guys race in anger they'll be able to tell you to within 0.1 of a knot at what point it is worth while them dropping the headsail.

I know, I was just trying to get a rise out of more of you. This is a CAT sailor site, after all...

Anyone with half a clue knows that they wouldn't make any moves without some serious testing and data behind it, especially reducing sail area (and the risks involved every time a sail is raised or lowered).

Mike

Check out that poor boob at the end of the spin pole in Picture 1 of 73...

New technique to balance the boat in choppy conditions...no wonder it is in front.

damon just posted this on his site - sexy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_lDXQVcRaE&feature=player_embedded