If there has been one aspect of Alinghi's racing performance that appears well-managed, it is their use of sails.
In the challenger series, syndicates can use only 45 new sails throughout the 4 1/2-month regatta.
Another 15 are allowed for the challenger that races Team New Zealand for the America's Cup in
February.
The defender can use a maximum of 30 sails.
All nine challengers and Team New Zealand are using North 3DL sails, made in Nevada. 3DL is a process that North has for making sails. The one-piece sails are made over an adjustable hydraulic mould. The bulk of the sail is mylar, a clear plastic material, and carbon, with other fibres added for flexibility and durability according to each designer's recipe.
The process has revolutionised the sail-making industry.
But it also means syndicates have to plan the use of their sail inventory.
That was shown by Oracle BMW Racing in the second round-robin when they reconfigured their boat with spectacular results.
Although we've credited a lot of things to Chris Dickson and Larry Ellison, I would also credit the improvements to the move to a bigger sail area, planned by their designers.
Because of the time it takes to order a sail, get it made and get it delivered to Auckland, there has to be a planned approach - you can't get 3DL sails overnight.
Measurer Ken McAlpine keeps a track of the sails used.
Each of the sails has a Louis Vuitton sticker.
Once the sticker is applied for, the sail becomes one of their designated sails and is identified.
Mainsails last a lot longer than genoas, and the life of a downwind sail is probably a bit longer than that of a genoa as well.
The thing that beats genoas up most is tacking. When the sail whacks against the front of the mast it wears out.
Each time a yacht tacks, these sails try to beat themselves to death.
The restriction on the number of sails, and the repecharge system, mean that boats which don't race as much, such as Alinghi and Oracle, have an advantage because they're not using resources.
If you think you're going to be the challenger, any sail you can save is money in the bank.
So when a spinnaker falls out, as one did on OneWorld this week, it's not a write-off. The team would put it back together - it's a bit like dressmaking, and to the non-sailmaking eye, it would look like new.
One thing's for sure, new sails are faster than old sails, which is why Alinghi have come out with a new inventory for the semifinals.
I would say that Alinghi have been frugal in the number of new sails they've used on the boat. I presume they have a lot of their allocation left.
In round-robin two and in the quarter-finals, Alinghi were carrying sails that looked as though they had been used quite substantially.
Once they had jumped out on the first beat, they would get themselves established and then maintain a small winning margin.
You don't have to win by two minutes, you've only got to win. Alinghi seem to be expert at winning by 20s to 30s.
It reminds me a lot of San Diego in 1995, when Russell Coutts was skipper of Team New Zealand. They would win, and win comfortably, but not necessarily hammer the opposition.
They're masters of sandbagging.
* Peter Lester is Yachting New Zealand's high performance manager.
nzherald.co.nz/americascup
Racing schedule, results and standings
If there has been one aspect of Alinghi's racing performance that appears well-managed, it is their use of sails.
In the challenger series, syndicates can use only 45 new sails throughout the 4 1/2-month regatta.
Another 15 are allowed for the challenger that races Team New Zealand for the America's Cup in
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