10 May 2017

Oracle now on their bike at America's Cup

1:03 pm on 10 May 2017

The America's Cup defender Oracle has copied Team New Zealand and installed a bike grinding station on its boat, just two weeks before competition begins in Bermuda, according to sailing website Sail-World.

Emirates Team New Zealand who are located opposite the Oracle Team USA base at the Royal Dockyard noted on social media site Facebook, they weren't the only ones using cycle power anymore.

The installation of the pedal grinding station is a big backdown from the America's Cup Defender, who after seeing Team New Zealand's four bike seats, initially claimed that they'd looked at the idea of using cyclists for grinding, but dismissed it as unworkable.

Team New Zealand

Team New Zealand Photo: RNZ

Sail-World says it's information from a variety of sources is that cycle grinders are capable of producing almost double the wattage of the arm grinders, and for a longer duration.

Team New Zealand first revealed their four cycle grinding stations in mid-February, having worked on the project for three years and had grinders training as cyclists for 12 months.

The team's grinders will operate the catamaran's hydraulics system using pedals instead of traditional hand-power.

The team's grinders will operate the catamaran's hydraulics system using pedals instead of traditional hand-power. Photo: Supplied / ETNZ

At the time Oracle Team USA and other America's Cup teams were dismissive of the move.

"We looked at it hard, as I know all the teams did, and it's a compromise," Oracle skipper James Spithill said.

"Nothing is straightforward. You can get more power on the pedal, but there's other compromises. You take windage, and it's a little harder getting on and off the pedals, so personally, I don't think that decision will be the deciding factor," he said.

It is not known if the cycle-powered pedestal is just an experiment, or a permanent fixture, or if the other two arm powered grinding stations will be replaced with leg powered grinding.