Run 60 and 61... a good'un and a bad'un!

Greetings all and apologies for the absence... we are still sort of digesting the current state of play.

We have been out sailing in strong conditions and I will fill you in a bit more early next week.

All is OK and VESTAS SAILROCKET is thankfully still in one piece and ready for action. Rain inland has brought Northerly winds which stop the prevailing winds from building.

Run 60 and 61 were very illuminating. Run 60 went well and we tracked beautifully at over 42 knots. On Run 61 we were visited by our old arch nemesis in the form of a round-up to windward. The new control system didn't seem to have the predicted power to correct it in time and we eventually ran aground. VESTAS SAILROCKET survived and showed just how tough she really is. The bottom of the main foil got pretty scuffed up.

At the time it was pretty frustrating but the good aspect is that it was all very well documented with video and onboard data logging. It gives us a lot to think about. Malcolm was on site and had a grand stand view of all the action.

VESTAS SAILROCKET...Too fast and too shallow!!!

Despite the fact that we had this unfortunate scenario unfold, I'm confident that we also have the means to understand and control it. These were the first high speed trials with the new system and it had many great aspects to it. The fact that my hands were free in a rapidly developing situation probably saved the day.

We will continue to develop the new system, adjust the geometry of the boat to swing the wing forward a little and change the way we approach the course. I want more of a point-and-shoot style where I peg the boat on the course as soon as possible and do more controlling with the wing. No more big course adjustments at speed. If this is necessary then just abort the run.

More pics and detail to follow.

I'm pretty keen to get back out there.

Cheers, Paul.