Ellison launches giant trimaran
Date: 02-Sep-2008 by: Remote Editor
The uncertainty of the next America's Cup, locked as it is in the New York courts, took another twist last week with the launch of Larry Ellison's American challenger, and the enormity of the problem brought into sharp focus when a 90-foot long trimaran hit the waters off Anacortes in Washington State. This gigantic three-hulled vessel has a 158ft mast.
Nothing like this has ever been seen before and its proportions would indicate that Ellison's BMW Oracle Racing team has covered all possible bases. The entire structure was completed in a specially built complex in order to control the temperature and humidity within fine limits.
The trimaran was launched by Melinda Erkelens, appropriately the legal advisor of the Golden Gate Yacht Club through which Ellison's challenge was lodged, on 22 August, 157 years, exactly, after the original race around the Isle of Wight that began this competition. It marked the culmination of nine months' work by the 30-strong design team and a vast number of builders, involving a total of 80,000 man hours.
Construction is principally in aerospace-quality carbon fibre, chosen for its high strength and lightness, and uses other materials more usually associated with this high-tech industry. Nothing has been left to chance in the design and construction of this boat and the sailing team is anxious to begin sailing trials.
The 500 square-metre mainsail - more than twice the size of the ones used by the boats in the Cup races last year in Valencia - was due to be put aboard yesterday and hoisted for the first time today. It will be complemented by headsails of up to 350 square metres and asymmetric spinnakers of up to 700 square metres - a total downwind sail area of almost two football pitches.
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