Teams from France and Australia officially registered as America’s Cup challengers in January, bringing with them long histories of competitive sailing.
The prototype for the new AC45 wing-sailed catamaran was delivered in February to the America’s Cup organization, marking the beginning of the next era of the America’s Cup. Photo courtesy of Gilles Martin-Raget / www.americascup.com
Energy Team, the new French challenge headed by famed sailors Bruno and Loïck Peyron, was officially registered as a challenger at the end of January and will benefit from the prestigious support of the Yacht Club de France.
Russell Coutts, CEO of Oracle Racing, said, “It’s fantastic that we’ve got another team in the America’s Cup and what should be a very competitive one. Obviously Loïck and Bruno Peyron have a lot of multihull experience and they know how to campaign these boats and Loïck was very involved in the last America’s Cup. So I think it’s fantastic that they are in this. I know they have wanted to get into this and it’s great to see they have lodged their entry.”
The Yacht Club de France, founded on 15th June 1867 under the patronage of Emperor Napoleon III, it is one of the most prestigious yacht clubs in France. Among its members, it has included such famous people as Jules Verne, Virginie Hériot, Alain Gerbault, Commander Charcot, Marin-Marie and more recently Eric Tabarly.
To mount its challenge, Energy Team has signed an exclusive partnership with Multiplast, a boatyard based in Vannes (Brittany) that is one of the international references in the world of multihull construction. The Multiplast yard will be reserved for Energy Team, and construction of the first AC72 catamaran will begin in September, with her launch planned for April 2012. Yann Penfornis, managing director of the yard, will be coordinating the AC72 design and construction teams under the supervision of Loïck Peyron.
The first AC45, the little sister to the AC72, will be delivered to Energy Team in March 2011, so they may begin training in Auckland.
Elsewhere, Australia is returning to Cup competition for the first time in over a decade. Australia has a storied history with the America’s Cup, with a memorable 1983 victory. Australia has also challenged for the Cup on seven previous occasions and sought to challenge on another three.
The Australian Team is progressing with intensive work on all fronts: Crew selection is taking place, the technical programme is underway and the formal structure, including legacy provisions, is being cemented in collaboration with Deloitte. Further announcements, including the name of the challenging Australian yacht club and key appointments, will be released shortly. Check out www.ausac34.com for ongoing information on the Australian challenge.
Boat One Officially Commissioned Upon Its Handover to America’s Cup Race Management
With its technical shakedown now complete, the prototype for the new AC45 wing-sailed catamaran was delivered in February to the America’s Cup organization, marking the beginning of the next era of the America’s Cup. America’s Cup Race Management will now manage the logistics, care and maintenance of the prototype as competitors test the boat over the coming weeks in New Zealand. The AC45 is the forerunner to the larger AC72, which will be used in the 34th America’s Cup.
A traditional Maori blessing started the day as competitors, prospective competitors and New Zealand dignitaries converged to see the latest in America’s Cup technology and celebrate the tireless effort of the New Zealand marine industry to make this occasion possible.
“To see the AC45 come together from just a concept in September to a full-fledged racing machine by February is a true testament to the skill of the New Zealand marine industry,” said Iain Murray, America’s Cup Race Management CEO and Regatta Director. “In particular we would like to thank the team at Core Builders Composites, who have produced an incredible boat that is fast yet robust. They remain hard at work on the balance of the AC45 fleet, which will be delivered to the teams for testing through April, before we leave Auckland to compete in the 2011 America’s Cup World Series.”
Nearly 160 years old, the America’s Cup is the oldest trophy in international sport. Initially a one-on-one competition between teams representing foreign yacht clubs, the America’s Cup has evolved into one of the world’s leading sporting competitions—featuring the best sailors on the world’s fastest boats, the wing-sailed AC45 and AC72 catamarans. The Louis Vuitton Cup—the America’s Cup Challenger Series, which decides what team will be the ultimate challenger for the Cup—will be held July 13 to September 1, 2013. The 34th America’s Cup Finals will be held in San Francisco September 7 – 22, 2013. Bay Crossings will be following the extensive preparations for the Cup over the next two years.
Among the unique features of the new AC45 are the more rigid wing sails. Photo courtesy of Gilles Martin-Raget / www.americascup.com
