Out with the old... In with the new......
The preliminary information regarding the next America's Cup races and boats is out. And there are some big changes from the boats used in the last two Cup races. No more flying cats!!!! to start with.
The boat is a 75-foot long monohull, and the
design details will be complete by next spring
Cost containment is a fundamental principal
The boats will need to be built in the
country challenging.
Nationality rule: Citizenship requirement is
a mere 20%, the rest of the sailing team needs a strict residency requirement
in the country they are representing. “It’s not a strict thing, but it’s an
attempt
Cup is Auckland 2021, but there’s no
infrastructure or plans yet. 2019 and 2020 there will be pre-regattas.
Two boats allowed per team.
Challenger series will be organized by the
CoR. AC will be organized by the defender. Joint group for
broadcasting/sponsorship/umpiring and other common issues.
“They might be” foiling. The next boat
will be presented in November and it ‘definitely will be an exciting boat’.
Some one-design componentry, some supplied
parts likely. Development ‘open in the really important areas’.
10-12 crew, bicycles allowed.
No tank testing allowed, no wind tunnels.
If for any reason, it can’t be in Auckland,
it’ll be in Italy.
Prada
Cup. Yes, Louis Vuitton is gone, and Prada is not only
title sponsor of the challenger series, but presenting sponsor for the big
one. Does LV have the balls to return on a Challenger’s sails?
Independent regatta directors and race
management, similar to Bermuda setup for RM.
Longer races, ~40 minutes. Longer
pre-start, upwind start.
So, there you have it...... Probably races in NZ... but maybe in Italy???? Mono-hull,,, but maybe with foils?????
More to come later.
Barnacle Bill Holcomb
509 993 3214
BarnacleBillHolcomb@gmail.com