America's Cup: Ineos Britannia poised to exploit the return of 'cyclors' to Cup boats

Sir Ben Ainslie. Photo / Photosport

Sir Ben Ainslie joked that he had not yet tried to tempt six-time Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy out of retirement, but said that his team's "very strong" links to British Cycling could stand Ineos Britannia in good stead, with 'cyclors' due to make a return at the next America's Cup.

Defenders Emirates Team New Zealand and challenger of record Ineos Britannia on Wednesday announced the new protocol and class rule for the 37th America's Cup.

And while the sailing world is still waiting on confirmation of the venue itself for the 2024 event - Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Cork in Ireland are both in the running if Team New Zealand cannot generate enough of a return on Auckland to make it commercially viable - there was more detail on what the Cup itself will look like.

The inclusion of a rule allowing sailors to use their legs rather than arms to power the boat's hydraulic systems will undoubtedly be one of the big talking points.

'Cyclors' were the names given to the grinders on board the Kiwi boat at the 35th America's Cup in Bermuda when New Zealand annihilated the competition, in part by exploiting a loophole in the rules that saw them put four of their sailors on static ­bicycles rather than have them on traditional grinding pedestals.

New Zealand even included a professional Olympic sprint cyclist, Simon van Velthooven, in their squad.

Team New Zealand annihilated the competition in Bermuda by employing 'cyclors'. Photo / Photosport

Although the return of cyclors will upset traditionalists who feel that the America's Cup is the pinnacle of sailing and therefore that all the crew on board should be sailors, New Zealand and Ineos Britannia want to increase the performance of the AC75s in lighter airs, and one of the ways of doing that is by removing sailors from the boat and compensating for that loss of power by allowing the remaining ones to use their legs.

"There's been a lot of debate," Ainslie admitted. "Traditionalists prefer grinders using arm power, but this is a solution to the issue of trying to increase performance in light airs. Teams are free to choose but I'd be surprised if any team didn't try to exploit it.

"We've obviously got a very strong link to arguably the most successful cycling team in the world. For sure we'll be analysing the performance benefit."

A rule mandating the use of cleaner, hydrogen-powered chase boats is another big talking point. Ainslie said there could be a "huge trickle-down effect for the marine industry" if the technology could be developed.

There was also confirmation that a new America's Cup Women's Regatta and an America's Cup Youth event will be part of AC37.

According to a statement released on Tuesday night, there will be "up to three preliminary regattas", with the first two raced in AC40s - a multipurpose one-design class which teams will be able to convert and use for testing, component development, match race training and then convert back to a measured one-design class for use in the women's and youth events - and the last one at the match venue in AC75s.

"The Challenger Selection Series and the America's Cup Match will be held in 2024, with the Match Venue and approximate event dates to be announced by 31st March 2022," the statement concluded.