Cycling in the Americas Cup yacht race

[currystomper]

Just watching this on the Tele Ch 115 on freeview

Team New Zealand are grinding using their legs rather than their arms ie they are on bikes! - it looks like a team time trial

 

[numbnuts]

I don't see nothing

 

[currystomper]

Sorry the picture link didn't work here is a link

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-...Zealands-pedal-powered-Americas-Cup-challenge

 

[Beebo]

I was just about to asked the same question. Was watching Eurosport. They still had the usual hand winders but also leg winders.

 

[Banjo]

They have been disqualified the leg pedallers were actually turning a propellor.

 

[derrick]

The idea is that the grinders can see what's going on around them, if your using your arms you have your head down, Well that's what i read somewhere. Although in that pic they have there heads down as well

 

[currystomper]

I thought that you can get more power out of your legs than your arms. The guy on the TV said the trouble maybe that it's slower to get off the bike to go to the other side of the boat during a tack...

 

[slowmotion]

Those "yachts" are getting pretty stupid, aren't they? The tedious march of technology and the rapid retreat of sportsmanship. Rather like F1.

Grump.

Edit: Actually, don't they usually decide who the winner is in a law court?

 

[currystomper]

Those "yachts" are getting pretty stupid, aren't they? The tedious march of technology and the rapid retreat of sportsmanship. Rather like F1.

It's not so much fun now they have a hang of the boats and the whole grinding thing seems a bit pointless.

 

[derrick]

This is the most exciting racing on water there is wind powered that is. i just love the foiled cats,

 

[Shut Up Legs]

The idea is that the grinders can see what's going on around them, if your using your arms you have your head down, Well that's what i read somewhere. Although in that pic they have there heads down as well

It's the aero tuck: can't have them slowing down the catamarans, can we? Every little bit counts.

 

[steveindenmark]

I wonder if they clip in and if they do whats it like clambering over a wet boat in cleats. I also wonder how this fits in with the class rules for the Americas Cup.

 

[cyberknight]

The idea is that the grinders can see what's going on around them, if your using your arms you have your head down, Well that's what i read somewhere. Although in that pic they have there heads down as well

I thought that you can get more power out of your legs than your arms. The guy on the TV said the trouble maybe that it's slower to get off the bike to go to the other side of the boat during a tack...

Its as @currystomper says , more power for longer.I read the article about it but the power generated is used to adjust the rake of the hydrofoils ( amongst other things i guess )

 

[rikki]

Should they have to wear helmets? They're compulsory in NZ

 

[psmiffy]

Should they have to wear helmets? They're compulsory in NZ

I think you will find they do