AC40 now available for public purchase

The four-person AC40 foiling yacht, designed by the Kiwi America’s Cup defender with the understanding that each challenging team was required to buy a boat for training and racing in advance of the 37th Match, is now available for public purchase to compete in a new AC40 Grand Prix circuit.

With speeds well over three times the wind speed and top speeds in excess of 50 knots, the yachts benefit from a supplied electronics package and automated control system to ease their use. This will be put to the test as the AC40 also gets used for the 2024 Youth and Women’s America’s Cup in Barcelona, with 12 international teams committed to both events.

As nine AC40s have been delivered and three more are in production, the builder McConaghy Boats is eager to promote a new grand prix circuit for the AC40 class. While no pricing was revealed, odds are this is not an owner-driver class. High tech and high speed is not for the casual competitor.

With the four-crew wearing armor and helmets, the two windward crew steer the yacht and trim the main, whilst the leeward pair trim the jib, fine-tune the altitude and pitch control, and call tactics. Roles are swapped on every tack and gybe (but not seats) with all sail and foil controls driven by hydraulic systems powered by onboard batteries.

The AC40 is a tightly controlled one-design class, with no changes permitted between the yachts, and identical sails throughout the fleet. Stringent measurement, calibration and one-design compliance checks are in place to ensure fairness.

The onboard control software, foiling autopilot and instrumentation is also supplied and controlled, ensuring that racing is entirely in the hands of the crew. Upgrades will be controlled by Emirates Team New Zealand and McConaghy Boats as the technical suppliers, with a shared services boatyard providing support to the private fleet.

The Class is administered by an AC40 Management Group comprising Emirates Team New Zealand, McConaghy Boats and Ancasta International Boat Sales – with Luca Rizzotti appointed as the Class Manager.

The AC40 Management Group is focused on establishing a class of privately owned AC40s to add to the existing yachts built for the America’s Cup.

The commitment to record and share performance data between teams is seen as a key element in ensuring long-term competitiveness within the class, and will be offered to all new teams to the circuit. No crew will therefore have a knowledge advantage over another: true one-design racing.

The AC40 Management Group is establishing a Mediterranean training base where the AC40 fleet will be based, providing a focal point for the class. Training sessions will be provided at the base throughout the pre-season, to include boat handling, performance training, safety skills and practice in an AC40 simulator to obtain an AC40 Class License.

Logistics were a key factor in the overall design of the AC40. The entire yacht including hull, mast, and appendages pack down on to a supplied 40-foot flat rack for ease of transport on container ships or trucks.

The yacht can be unpacked and afloat in 48 hours, requiring a minimal support team. With only four crew and a slim sail wardrobe, operating costs are surprisingly low.

A centralized technical support service is available through the class subscription, which will also provide access to a collective inventory of spares.

For information:
• info@ac40ca.org
• http://ac40ca.org

Following the publication of the AC37 Protocol and AC75 Class Rule on November 17, 2021, the AC75 Class Rule and AC Technical Regulations were finalized on March 17, 2022. The entry period opened December 1, 2021 and runs until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup may be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the venue reveal, confirming it would be Barcelona on March 30, 2022. The 37th America’s Cup begins October 12, 2024.

Teams revealed to challenge defender Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL):
• INEOS Britannia (GBR)
• Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI)
• Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA)
• NYYC American Magic (USA)
• Orient Express Racing Team (FRA)

2023-24 Preliminary Regattas
September 14-17, 2023 (AC40):  Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain
November 30-December 3 (AC40): Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
August 2024 (AC75): Barcelona, Spain

2024 America’s Cup
September: Challenger Selection Series
October 12 – ?: 37th Match (Best of 13)

Additionally, 12 teams will compete in the 2024 Youth & Women’s America’s Cup.

Noticeboard: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/
Additional details: www.americascup.com/en/home