Americas Cup Countdown: Airwaves Reports from Rhode Island

Created on Wednesday, 13 June 2012 14:00

By Judith Krimski

As the 34th America’s Cup wends its way towards the sixth and final stop of the AC World Cup Series in Newport, Rhode Island, one-design enthusiasts are asking “What’s this all about?” Fortunately, one thing it’s not all about is a convoluted court case that sucks the energy out of this historic 34th Cup event. Yes, there are still a bunch of mega-rich guys funding these boats though this time around it appears that race organizers—Larry Ellison and the cup committee—have gotten it right. The sailors and the boats have reclaimed the main stage. Whether you’re watching the cup on NBC (YES! it will be nationally televised on July 1st), on the internet or course-side in Newport, you’ll be treated to some of the most exciting yacht racing ever.

There’s no denying this is not your mother’s America’s Cup. With boats that easily travel 30 knots, sailor/athletes who are younger and stronger, and tighter courses that bring racing within easy reach of spectators, it’s obvious that America’s Cup organizers have taken a page from the Extreme Sailing Series. It’s great to know that the professional sailors who race these high-tech vessels are excited by the change in the AC format.

The AC World Series in the first of three main stages for the Cup culminating in the 34th defense of the America’s Cup between Team Oracle and the winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup. Both take place on San Francisco Bay in 2013. The AC45, currently being used, is essentially a smaller version of the ultimate AC yacht, a 72 foot behemoth featuring 130 foot mast and a sail area of 6,250 vs. a 70 ft mast and 1,430 on the AC45.

So why the AC45?

The challenge was to design a boat that would not only meet the racing and performance criteria, but could also fit inside a 40-foot container, which is the shipping method for the America’s Cup World Series.

“The boat was designed for all-around performance so it can be sailed in wide range of conditions, and that means the next America's Cup will see races start on time,” said Ian Burns, ORACLE Racing design coordinator. “Plus it’s a regatta boat, meant for lots of racing, so quick assembly and disassembly was a must to accommodate an active competition schedule.”

While capable of closing speeds of over 30 knots, the AC45 was designed to remain nimble enough to handle the tight race courses planned by America’s Cup Race Management (ACRM). "The wing is big and the boat powers up quickly and is easy to sail and maneuverability is not a problem,” is the way ORACLE Racing skipper Jimmy Spithill, the test pilot, described the boat after just one sail.

©2011ACEA Giles Marten-Raget

In 2010, Spithill became the youngest skipper to win the America's Cup. Now his sights are set on a successful defence in 2013. The first year of the campaign has gone well, with ORACLE Racing Spithill fighting tooth and nail against Emirates Team New Zealand for top spot on the AC World Series leaderboard. 

World Series viewer friendly format 

Each regatta combines match racing and fleet racing, and takes place over a span of about nine days in port cities around the world. The common thread in all of these venues is the chance to race the boats close to shore, with spectators able to watch in a "stadium" type of setting, as compared to yacht races which can sometimes be staged miles from shore. Teams can enter one or two AC45 cats in the event, and additional teams that are not America's Cup 2013 entries may also participate. The ACWS was created to give both competitors and organizers the chance to gain experience racing wingsail multihulls in preparation for the 2013 America's Cup while also building the fan base and bringing media exposure for the teams and the America's Cup event.

©2011ACEA Giles Marten-Raget

Newport 2012 America’s Cup World Series Schedule: For the full schedule of events (and there are tons of them) go to America's Cup Newport Events Schedule 

• Saturday, June 23 - Monday June 25: AC45 Team Training, Sail Newport Youth Regatta  

• Tuesday, June 26: Sail Newport Youth Regatta, 2:00pm  AC45 Practice Racing 

• Wednesday, June 27: 2:00pm  Official ACWS Practice Racing 

• Thursday, June 28:

• 12 noon – 4:00pm Race Day – Fleet & Match Racing  

• Friday, June 29 Healthy Oceans Day:

• 2:30 – 4:30pm Race Day – Match & Fleet Racing 

• Saturday, June 30: 2:00 – 4:30pm Race Day – Speed Trials & Fleet Racing 

• Sunday, July 1: 2:30 – 4:00pm Race Day – Match & Fleet Racing Finals (Live NBC coverage) 

Want to know more?

I'll be covering the Cup from Newport and you can follow my antics on twitter @judithkrimski, Sail1Design.com, and here on centerofeffort. I'd love to know what you want to hear about so send me a comment.