Race is on to design the fastest foiling monohull

The race is on to design the fastest foiling monohull yachting has seen.

Emirates Team New Zealand and the Challenger of Record Luna Rossa have published the AC75 Class Rule for the 36th America’s Cup which defines the parameters within which teams can design a yacht eligible to compete in the Auckland event in 2021. It regulates all aspects of the boat to ensure fair and exciting racing, while leaving plenty of freedom for innovation to flourish.

The development of the Class Rule has been a four-month process led by Team New Zealand, working with Luna Rossa Challenge. From now on, any changes can be made only with the consent of all entered competitors. Regular entries closed yesterday, with late entries being accepted until November 30.

Design co-ordinator for Team New Zealand Dan Bernasconi said the design team had done a great job containing costs on certain aspects, while “leaving the rule open enough for the America’s Cup to continue as the driving force of innovation and technology in sailing”.

“This marks a definite milestone and a turning point from developing the rule to developing the boat,” said Bernasconi.

“Overnight we have to completely change our thinking, from trying to write a fair rule, to doing our best to design the fastest boat within the constraints of the rule.

“We have to stop thinking about what we intended the rule to mean, and start trying to pick it apart for what the words actually say — and see where there might be room to squeeze some advantage.”

The rules are the result of a close collaboration and a true partnership between Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa,” said Martin Fischer, design coordinator for Luna Rossa Challenge.

The first AC75 yachts can be launched on March 31 next year.