Telefonica shore boss Campbell Field has revealed that discussions are underway to decide whether the Blue team should take a calculated gamble on new rudders.
The move would cost Bouwe Bekking’s title-chasing crew three points, but after positive feedback from the Telefonica Black team, who adopted the strategy ahead of leg four, the syndicate is weighing up the merits of the swap.
“It could potentially happen for the next leg,” Field said. “There are meetings and briefings happening now. The conclusion might be let’s leave it until after the in-port race (on February 7). I’m prepared for any eventuality. They could make the decision at any point really; it’s a pretty straightforward and quick swap.”
If they do make the switch, the penalty imposed under race Rule would reduce their tally to 38.5 points, leaving them a 6.5 points adrift of overall leaders Ericsson 4 and just 0.5 ahead of third-placed PUMA.
“By all accounts the guys (on the Black boat), as you would expect from bigger rudders, felt a lot more control and felt a lot more comfortable,” Field added. “There is a points penalty so we have to look at the trade off between the penalty and benefit.
“Both boats were set up to do the change in Singapore. The Blue boat elected not to do it then because they wanted to put a bit more thought into it.”
In Singapore, the team confirmed Black’s new rudders were identical in shape to the originals but with 27 per cent increased length and volume. However, Field refused to comment on the specific dimensions of the rudders being considered by Blue.
The boat, meanwhile, has been scheduled to return to the water on Wednesday, with a practice sail lined up for the following day.
“The boat is in very, very, very good shape,” Field said. “We have a couple of items which we need to repair. There are two visible ones, one being they hit something and it damaged the crash bow. We have looked under the boat and it looks like the object they hit only hit the bow. They are a couple of marks on the keel from ropes and whatever, just cosmetic work.
“There is also a slight compression ding in the side of the bow about half a metre back. It could have been the same object bouncing down the side.
“Other than that it’s routine stuff and we’re pretty comfortable.”