CRANKING UP THE POWER

The AC75s of the America’s Cup are power-hungry beasts. The human input required for sustained foiling and maneuvers on demand is a critical piece of the design puzzle.

SPENCER POWLISON

AMERICAN Magic’s AC75 Patriot glides through the water near Pensacola, Florida, and as it picks up speed with the day’s favorable winds, the imposing dark hull rises from the water and begins to plane on its hydrofoils. Crouched near the bow, pedaling furiously, John Croom is lashed by spray. His earpiece crackles with chatter from the rest of the crew. He has watched videos of America’s Cup boats. He’s logged hundreds of hours of training on land. But this is his first time—his first time on any sailboat. “Still to this day, that’s one of the most euphoric moments I’ve ever had in my career,” Croom says. “Getting the opportunity to sail, and then just feeling that actual takeoff and being on the foils was something super special. That was…

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Sailing World (Digital) - 1 Issue, Spring 2023

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