I made this video of AC 72 Oracle practicing on the SF Bay yesterday.
They were sailing in 15-17 knots of wind and very easily out running their chase boats! I estimate they
were sailing between 45-50 knots! which was confirmed by a Team member I met where I was shooting
from. The boat made the Bay look very-very small and the distance covered was truly awe inspiring.
In the video you can see they initially start with the wind at 90 degrees true but after they accelerate
they bend the apparent wind to about 150 degrees true, while onboard it looks like 30 degrees
apparent, amazing! They then hop up on foils (Hydrofoils) and they really start hauling the mail.
I was standing in front of Larry's Diner (the Golden Gate YC Larry Ellison bought) and they came right in
close to shore and ripped a gybe. Supposedly this was the closest to shore they had ever taken this
boat. They continued to do about a lap around the bay every 10 minutes.
