Helmsman or Pilot?

As the AC boats drifted off the coast of Valencia today (actually they never left the dock) waiting to start the 33rd America's Cup, Oracle helmsman  James Spithill told the press that he got his pilot's license to help him sail the giant trimaran.

"When it looked like we were going to pull the trigger on the wing I thought 'well I will try to get my pilots licence'." Spithill told a press conference in Valencia. "It was very interesting. It is amazing actually how many people in sailing have their pilots licences. It is the same principles, it is all about lift and drag, and it is just another way of thinking about how to make yourself go as quickly as you can on the water."

The wing he references is believed to be the worlds largest wing. It has a vertical wingspan of 68 metres -more than twice the length of the wing on a Boeing 747 and also larger than the wing on a new Airbus 380 (the world's largest passenger airliner).

Sailing experts say the advantage of using a wing over a soft sail is that it's easier to control and does not distort, thus making it easier to maintain an optimum shape in a wide range of conditions. Oracle's wing has flaps, is made from aeronautical film, and includes a built-in carbon-fibre spar.

From a nautical to aeronautical. What's next, astronautical? At the rate these guys are spending, it's only a matter of time before an AC helmsman will need to be up to speed on the principles of space flight.

Today, it's Oracle vs Alinghi. Next time around, the AC may feature Sputnik vs Apollo!