The physiological demands of America's Cup yacht racing

The aim of this research was to report the physiological demands of America's Cup yacht racing. The nature of racing was quantified, specifically the activity pattern and exercise intensity, and the anthropometric, and fitness characteristics of the athletes documented. This included physiological assessment (aerobic power and anaerobic power) of the athletes during' grinding' (standing arm-cranking) the primary activity of America's Cup sailing. The influence of crank velocity, crank length, crank-axle height and the role of the lower limbs were evaluated in order to determine the conditions for optimal power production during grinding. The acute thermoregulatory responses to racing were assessed, and the chronic responses to training in terms of upper respiratory infection (URI), salivary-immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) and subjective fatigue documented. The exercise intensity of racing was high, but intermittent, and influenced by how evenly matched the boats were and the role of the athlete. [Continues.]