America's Cup test boats launch
Momentum is building among the Challengers for the 37th America’s Cup, with activity increasing among all the teams, while the new official ‘recon’ programme means all the teams’ launches and sailing days are observed and recorded.
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli was first to sail their LEQ12 test boat, a scaled down foiling monohull which may be used in addition to the AC40. Despite its ‘dazzle ship’ livery, it bears closest resemblance to the ETNZ winning AC75 from last year. It was swiftly followed by INEOS Britannia's LEQ12 boat, code-named T6, built in the UK then launched at their new winter base in Palma.
Meanwhile the New York Yacht Club Challengers American Magic have ordered two AC40 one-designs, which would give the team an opportunity to not only speed trial but also match race train with multiple helmsmen – both Tom Slingsby and Paul Goodison are signed with the American team.
American Magic has also relaunched Patriot, the AC75 which suffered a dramatic crash landing during the Prada Cup Round Robin last January, sailing on their home waters of Pensacola, Florida. A recent sponsorship deal announced with Sram, ‘the world’s most innovative bicycle component manufacturer’, makes it clear cyclors will be returning to the American entry. Under Version 2 of the AC75 rule pedal-power is once again allowed. British INEOS sailors also seem to be spending a large amount of time pedalling around Mallorca – a mecca for road cyclists.
The Alinghi team has been training on its
AC75 off Barcelona – after last month’s capsize under tow the team has experienced more tough conditions, with a nosedive in waves causing them to blow out the clew of a headsail.
More dates have been confirmed for the Women’s and Youth America’s Cup. The Youth event will start on 19 September 2024 and the Women’s America’s Cup on 3 October 2024. They conclude with the Youth America’s Cup
Single Match Race on 2 October – the same day as the America’s Cup Challenger Final – while the Women’s America’s Cup Single Match Race will be held on 16 October, a date also scheduled for two America’s Cup Match races.
At least one home team will line up against the four Cup contenders for these events, with Sail Team BCN, representing the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona, competing in both the Youth and Women’s America's Cup 2024. The team will be led by Spanish pro sailor Guillermo Altadill and managed by Stewart Hosford, formerly of Alex Thomson Racing and now with Origin Sports. There's no announcement so far of who'll be racing the sixth AC40 rostered into the event.
Meanwhile, Iain Murray has been reappointed as regatta director and Richard Slater continues in the role as chief umpire from AC36.