China Team new boat construction advances as planned

[Source: China Team] Luc Gellusseau, chief operations manager and Pierre Massé, project manager, left last week for Dong Guan China, to follow the progress of the new boat. Here are some of the latest updates from Luc Gellusseau

You just returned from Dong Guan, what were you doing there?
First of all, I left with Pierre Massé and we met up with Frank Pong in Hong-Kong. He invited us to join him for a regatta organized by the HEBEBE Yacht Club and a regatta in which some 60 boats participated. We raced on «Jelik», one of two maxis owned by Frank Pong, and the same boat that the appendages had been recently modified. Frank Pong won the regatta in real time and in compensated time, which validated the recent work done. We were very happy with the results.

The mold of the first ever chinese-built America's Cup yacht. Photo copyright China Team

From there you went to the boatyard?
Yes, Lionel Antognelli the "onsite" project manager was there to meet us. He is in charge of the daily operations at the boatyard during the next four months. Lionel worked notably for a company that makes racecars and is based in a technology park in Nevers-Magny, France. (The company is well known for making Formula 3 and Formula 1 cars for racecar driving schools...). The techniques and materials for making monohulls and these cars are effectively very similar to those found in making an America's Cup class yacht. In both cases, we utilize a sandwiched «pre-impregnated carbon / honeycomb » structure. Lionel has also worked as a research and development engineer as well as a technical director in a medium sized company specialized in hydraulic systems for automobiles (mainly suspension and braking systems). So he is now installed in Dong Guan for the duration of the four month construction.

How much time did you spend in Hong-Kong?
Six or seven hours so we didn't need a visa, and three hours another time. It is a trip that can be done by train, taxi, or in a fast subway for the essential and frequent trips. When we arrived in Dong Guan, we were pleasantly surprised. McConaghy International and Jin Li composites, since our last visit, have set themselves up in the boatyard and are well equipped. There were 35 people working in the yard, and they are in the middle of completing not only our America's Cup boat but also other boats.

In what stage of construction is the future Chinese America's Cup yacht?
Three quarters of the molds have been constructed, the schedule is being followed and the boatyard has developed excellent logistics for building the boat in the best conditions. The mold is under constant hydrometric control 24/24; the oven is equipped with 72 sensors connected a highly developed electrical control system. McConaghy International and Jin Li have put into place a modern production unit which wasn’t there to begin with.

What will take place in the upcoming stages?
Daniel Andrieu, who is a member of the China Design Team along with Hervé Devaux and Philippe Pallu de la Barrière, will arrive in Dong Guan next week to double-check the form of the mold before the builders start construction of the actual hull.

The mold of the first ever chinese-built America's Cup yacht. Photo copyright China Team