America's Cup crossover

This year's America's Cup features 5 foiling catamarans, including the UK and Sir Ben Ainslie, flying above the surface and battling it out between themselves in Bermuda to take on Oracle Team USA, the current Defender, starting in May. These cats go faster than the wind and are extremely fast.

The solid wing sails and foils are all powered by hydraulics which are, themselves, powered by the sailors, known as grinders, using upper body strength to power the winches. However, in a break with tradition, Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ), have replaced the grinders with cycling sailors

It's well known that the cyclists can generate 50% more power than the grinders and could be a real game changer. However, for each tack or gybe (change of direction relative to the wind), the cyclists have to cross the boat from one side to the other, clip in and pedal as hard as possible to power up the hydraulics; the clipping in may well slow them down so the jury is out at the moment.

Either way, its a novel solution to a complex problem and could well see ETNZ taking the cup - watch this space