DDrift

Chapter 04 of 5

The Grinders & Cyclors

Human power meets hydraulic pressure in the engine room.

  1. The Engine

    Human-Powered Flight

    While computers steer the foils, humans must provide every ounce of energy to move the massive control surfaces.

  2. Mechanism

    The Hydraulic Hearth

    Winches and flaps aren't moved by hand; they are driven by high-pressure hydraulic fluid pumped by the crew.

  3. Legacy

    The Classic Grinder

    For decades, barrel-chested athletes used hand-cranks to trim sails, relying entirely on upper-body explosive power.

17 more cards in this chapter

Could you answer this?

Why did America's Cup teams switch from 'grinders' (hand-cranking) to 'cyclors' (pedaling)?

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⛵ America's Cup

  1. 01The 1851 ChallengeHow the schooner America ignited a 170-year naval rivalry.
  2. 02The Wing-Sail RevolutionTrading soft canvas for vertical airplane wings.
  3. 03Hydrofoils: Flying on WaterLifting hulls above the waves to break the 50-knot barrier.
  4. 04The Grinders & CyclorsHuman power meets hydraulic pressure in the engine room.
  5. 05Design Rule Courtroom BattlesWhere lawyers and blueprints win the race before it starts.