The new era of America’s Cup racing has attracted 15 teams from 12 countries, who will begin their quest for the Cup with 2011 America’s Cup World Series stops in Cascais, Portugal; Plymouth, England; and San Diego.
Sweden’s Artemis Racing Team performing testing in Auckland, New Zealand in the new AC45s that are the forerunner to the next generation of America’s Cup boats. Photo by Ivor Wilkins/www.americascup.com
BAY CROSSINGS STAFF REPORT
Published: May, 2011
America’s Cup Event Authority (ACEA) revealed the inaugural AC World Series would begin in Europe in August 2011.
2011 AC World Series Schedule
Event One: Cascais, Portugal August 6 -14
Event Two: Plymouth, England September 10-18
Event Three: San Diego, California Dates TBD, to be set between mid Oct. and early Dec.
“We have selected venues that reflect both the prestige of the America’s Cup, as well as venues that can bring the action on the water to those on land,” said Richard Worth, Chairman, ACEA. “Similar to San Francisco, all of the inaugural AC World Series venues enable spectators to watch the racing live, which will help expose this great sport to more people worldwide.”
The AC World Series is a regular circuit of regattas that will bring America’s Cup-level racing and experience to top international venues. Televised to expose millions more fans to the sport of high-performance sailing, the AC World Series will feature both fleet and match racing at each event. At the end of each AC World Series season, a champion will be crowned. These events provide the fans the only opportunity to see all of the America’s Cup competitors racing together. The schedule for the second half of the inaugural AC World Series circuit will be revealed by October of this year.
The 2011-2012 AC World Series will be sailed in the AC45, the forerunner to the next generation of America’s Cup boats. The boat was launched to great acclaim in New Zealand this past January. Focused on creating more on-the-water excitement for both the teams and the fans, the AC45 wing-sailed catamaran was designed for both speed and close racing. While capable of closing speeds of up to 30 knots, the AC45 remains nimble enough to handle the tight, tactical race courses planned by America’s Cup Race Management.
The 2012-2013 season will be sailed in the larger and faster America’s Cup boats, the AC72, and its champion will be crowned just prior to the start of the Louis Vuitton Cup (America’s Cup Challenger Series) in July 2013. This AC World Series will also enable all teams seeking to compete in the America’s Cup Finals in September 2013 to be race-ready for the AC72.
The 2012-2013 season will begin in San Francisco in August 2012.
