Cycling technology must secure victory over USA – will New Zealand qualify for the America's Cup? | Sports
It's all about footwork! the duel Between rival New Zealand (“Emirates Team New Zealand”) and the USA (“Oracle Team USA”) in the America’s Cup, the oldest and most prestigious sailing cup in the world – decided on the bike!
The New Zealanders have installed eight bikes (four on each hull) on board their 15-metre high-tech boat, which flies over the water on its wings at speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour.
New Zealand professional cyclist Simon van Velthoven, 28, a bronze medalist in the keirin at the 2012 Olympics, was specially appointed for this purpose.
Bike your way to New Zealand America's Cup?
Background: Sailors sit one by one on the boat like a quartet and feed the hydraulic systems with the power of their legs. This moves the wings on which the boats fly. It works like a horizontal stabilizer on an airplane.
Four sailors pedal to ensure that the wings of the New Zealand “Red Rocket” take off and the boat gains speed
Americans were completely surprised by this technology. They still work the cranks with their muscular arms. They focus more on aerodynamics and developed their catamaran in BMW's wind tunnel in Munich.
Yesterday the New Zealanders dominated the start of the final in Bermuda. After two wins, they only took a 1-0 lead in the series from one to seven because the USA earned an extra point in the playoffs.
The New Zealanders are out to avenge one of the biggest defeats in the history of the sport. Four years ago they were ahead 8:1, and lost 8:9 to the Americans! No rush…