Full ahead for America’s Cup

Auckland dates Announced, And Ainslie’s ineos team uk is first to foil

At a glitzy presentation in the unlikely setting of Cowes Yacht Haven in August, organisers of the 36th America’s Cup presented more details of the 2021 competition.

What was called the ‘America’s Cup

Overture’ opened with impressive holographic presentations of the radical AC75 foiling monohulls. But the most significant piece of information released was the date: the first race will take place on 6 March, 2021, with racing continuing until 21 March on a best of 13 or first to seven points basis.

The course area was also unveiled – five possible race areas spread across the Hauraki Gulf, including along the North Shore beaches and inner Waitemata harbour. The course options are designed to allow for racing in all wind directions, while also set close to shore for spectators. Grant Dalton, Emirates Team New Zealand boss, estimates that up to 300,000 people will be able to watch the Cup from shore.

Racing will take place late in the afternoon from 1600-1800 local time to get a typical sea breeze established, as well as to fit within international television schedules.

With a date, course area and time period pinned down, Cup teams can now begin to make final decisions ahead of building the radical AC75 monohulls. Sir Ben Ainslie’s INEOS Team UK has been the first team to publicly fly a prototype version of the new foiling monohull, using a modified Quant 28 design known as

T5. It features two foil arms, T-foils and control systems, along with training floats to give the boat more stability during practice.

Ainslie refused to be drawn on the boat, apart from admitting: “We’ve done a lot of swimming!”

He added: “It’s been a great tool, and it’s enabled us to make some strategic decisions about the 75-footer that we’re going to need next year.”

Jim Ratcliffe, boss of INEOS and Ainslie’s