America’s Cup: Swiss boat is en route

America’s Cup challenger Alinghi Red Bull Racing’s race boat, known as BoatOne, had on February 26 left the boatyard along the shores of Lake Geneva in Ecublens, Switzerland. BoatOne is being trucked across France and into northeastern Spain before arriving at the team base in Barcelona within a few days.

The new AC75 will be the yacht used by the Swiss challenger for the 2024 America’s Cup and per the official race protocol, was built in Switzerland, home country of the club which the team represents: the Société Nautique de Genève. The

“We’re super proud of this boat. She’s radical and it will be beautiful when she’s going fast,” said David Nikles, lead boat builder. “We had a deadline that hasn’t changed for two years. Despite all the challenges inherent in a construction like this, we always had this date in our minds. And we managed to stick to it.”

Part of the boat build team will now transition to Barcelona as the shore crew and boat builders prepare the AC75 for its initial sail and upcoming training schedule this spring. “To see everything complete and the boat leaving on the due date was a big achievement,” said Danny Cawsey, lead boat builder.

Alinghi Red Bull Racing has been sailing BoatZero, an AC75 acquired from the New Zealand defender back in 2021, as its training boat since then, while also performing two-boat testing and regular match-race training on the smaller AC40s that feature a four-man crew.

The new AC75 features the same box-rule boat design used for the 36th America’s Cup, but it will be sailed by a crew of eight for this edition of the Cup. Once the boat arrives in Barcelona, the boat will go right to the shed and will be unveiled no earlier than April 5.

AC75 Specifications
Hull length: 20.7m
Hull beam: 5m
Draft at dock: 5m
Mast: 26.5m
Displacement: 6.2T
Double skin mainsail: 145m² maximum
Headsail: 90m² maximum
Speed: record 53.3kts
Crew: 8 people (700kg)

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 2 (AC40): Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
August 22-25, 2024 (AC75): Barcelona, Spain

2024 Challenger Selection Series
August 29-September 8: Double Round Robin
September 14-19: Semi Finals (Best of 9)
September 26-October 5: Finals (Best of 13)

2024 America’s Cup
October 12-21: 37th Match (Best of 13)

For more schedule details, click here.
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

Source: Alinghi Red Bull Racing