| Australia II |
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Introduction The interview with the Sydney Morning Herald on the design of Australia II has resulted in many reactions, both positive and negative. This is not surprising considering the impact the winning of the America's Cup in 1983 had around the world. In the interview we expressed that we would not have spoken out in the way we did if some of Peter van Oossanen's team mates in 1983 hadn't made statements in recent years in the way they did (probably in support of Ben Lexcen's nomination to the America's Cup Hall of Fame), against the role the Dutch (noteably Joop Slooff and Peter van Oossanen) had in the design process. Some of those that spoke out in this fashion were fully aware of the Dutch contribution to the design of Australia II. Below we have provided documents that reveal the Dutch role in the design process and we provide answers to the many questions that have been raised in this context. We do not want to discredit Ben Lexcen in any way. We have high regards for him. It should be realized however that the design solution that was achieved for Australia II was the result of a very intricate scientific process, a process Ben didn't fully comprehend and a process he couldn't give leadership to. He worked very hard to integrate the underwater configuration that had been developed into the overall design of the boat, which he did in a very professional and commendable way. The result is as much a product of his dedication and hard work as it is the product of the science that Joop and Peter introduced. The role that science now plays in the America's Cup is because of what transpired in Holland in 1981. |
| From Sail-World.com: John Rousmaniere reflects on that winged keel |
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1. Patent application for winged keel The documentation supplied should be reflected on when people come forward who state that I told them that Ben had designed the keel, in meetings or in interviews during the months after September 1983. There was no way in which I could reveal the truth. I have kept my promise made to Warren Jones on 19th March 1983 for 25 years and it is only now, after various people in the AII team itself have come out to say we had nothing to do with the design of Australia II, that I needed to speak out. |
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2. Towing technique adopted for the Australia II tests In recent articles in the media it has been said that Ben Lexcen designed the towing system at NSMB. We have provided some documents concerning the design and building of the towing system in the towing tank at NSMB. |
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How long was Ben at NSMB (now called MARIN) where the hull and keel design and the research work was carried out (except for the calculations carried out by Joop Slooff)? |
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4. Documentation on the design of Australia II A number of documents are presented on the design of the hull and keel of Australia II. |
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In recent articles in the media a number of factual errors have been made. |
Australia II -
Introduction
1. Patent
application
for winged keel
2. Towing
technique
adopted for the
Australia II tests
3. Ben's presence
at NSMB
4. Documentation
on the design of
Australia II
Claims
References
Introduction
1. Patent
application
for winged keel
2. Towing
technique
adopted for the
Australia II tests
3. Ben's presence
at NSMB
4. Documentation
on the design of
Australia II
Claims
References
