AC 45: THEY’RE GOING TO FLY...

We should have known: after the extraordinary final of the 34th America’s Cup in AC 72s, with the catamarans literally flying over the waves at supersonic speeds, the AC 45s couldn’t remain glued to the water.

The AC 45s were originally designed to allow the challengers for the 34th Cup to race in 45-foot cats equipped with rigid wing sails, whilst awaiting the launch of the costly and complicated AC 72s.

For the 35th edition of the America’s Cup, the six teams officially entered were all in agreement – and that in itself is an event! - that the America’s Cup World Series (ACWS) should be raced on the old AC 45s, whilst awaiting the launch of the AC 62s, on which the final phase will be raced.

But although the AC 45s are being rolled out again, they will now be equipped with foils, and the series should continue after the Cup in 2017, as the six teams have committed themselves to race on the same support in 2018.

For the moment, only six teams have been able to enter within the required time: - Artemis Racing - Ben Ainslie Racing - Emirates Team New Zealand - Luna Rossa Challenge - Oracle Team USA (the current holders of the trophy) and Team France.

The exact date and place for the next America’s Cup remain unknown for the moment.