At the end of 2022 and into 2023, the INEOS Britannia America's Cup team relocated their testing and R&D department to Palma de Mallorca to conduct rigorous testing and development for the 37th America's Cup, currently being hosted in Barcelona.
Leo Kilmartin, founder and owner of i3, was contacted by an old friend and former colleague, Ryann Taylor, who is now the Composites Manager for INEOS Britannia. Leo and Ryann have known each other for around 25 years, having collaborated on various yacht builds and racing campaigns over the years.
INEOS and the other teams were permitted to design, test, and develop a vessel closely resembling what they would ultimately use in the America's Cup. The INEOS test boat was designated with the code name T6. Additionally, the teams were provided with an AC40 to practice and gather valuable data before the official launch of INEOS Britannia in the 37th America's Cup.
The project brief was clear: the lower section of the hull, referred to as "The Bustle," was designed as a modular component intended for testing and optimizing the hydro/aerodynamic performance of various proposed hull geometries. The goal was to manufacture a CNC-machined section of the hull that would be over-laminated and then installed onto the existing structure.
In terms of CNC machining difficulty, this project rated a challenging 9.5 to 10. The high level of precision required, combined with the complexity of multiple surfaces and faces needing machining—without the assistance of a robotic arm or 5-axis machine—made this a significant undertaking.
i3 successfully delivered the project in early 2023 and assisted the INEOS shore team with the installation at the INEOS AC base in Porto Pi, located on the Paseo Marítimo in Palma. The Bustle was manufactured to the highest standards and was installed in preparation for the team's rigorous testing campaign.
This project was no easy feat, but our production team rose to the challenge, and we are proud to have played a small part in the development of INEOS Britannia, which is currently competing in Barcelona alongside other impressive vessels.
i3 has been eager to announce its involvement in this project; however, due to strict NDA agreements, we have had to keep everything confidential until receiving the green light from INEOS.
We would like to take this opportunity to wish Sir Ben Ainslie and his team the best of luck in their pursuit of the oldest international sporting trophy in the world—one that has remained elusive for the UK since its inception in 1851.
