In 2013, it was the Americans of the Oracle challenge who won the last America's Cup in San Francisco, against the New Zealanders. Their boat? An AC72 of 72 feet (22 m). For the next edition, which will take place in 2017 in Bermuda, it is a new prototype that was initially selected, a 19-meter AC62. However, the size of the boat will be further reduced, according to a press release published on the race website, " to significantly reduce costs."
Achieve significant savings
To significantly reduce operational costs for the teams, the 2017 America's Cup organizers are considering changing some of the rules, including reducing the size of the boat. " After looking at the prototypes of the new AC45 (13.45m) boats tested on the water over the past few months, it is clear that if we were to race smaller boats in 2017, we could reduce costs significantly, without sacrificing the spectacle, design or engineering so dear to the America's Cup sporting challenge." said business manager Harvey Schiller.
"We have a responsibility to think about what is best for the long-term health of the America's Cup. Racing a smaller boat in 2017 is a step in the right direction." he adds. " The existing operating costs for the teams are far too high on a boat like the AC62. We discussed this change early last year in London, but only Oracle Team USA and Emirates Team New Zealand were in favor of a smaller boat."
"Now that all the teams have seen this little boat in action, there is a large majority of racers who support this idea. I'd like to say we have unanimity, but that's not the case."
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Credit: Left, AC62 / Right, AC45 by America's Cup Event Authority
The speed of this new boat should be similar to that achieved in the last America's Cup thanks to the foils and the advancements in design and engineering.
"It will be a big change, but it is a necessary condition to create an America's Cup that is part of the future, said Sir Ben Ainslie, skipper and team manager of Ben Ainslie Racing. "These boats will create significant cost savings while providing a real challenge for sailors and designers."
Facilitating access to the America's Cup
"For the French team, it will change the game" said skipper Franck Cammas. "We will be able to have a very competitive team for about half the budget. With a smaller boat, we can imagine that a budget, between 15 and 20 million euros, would be enough to win the America's Cup.
"With the use of smaller boats for the next edition, it will be much easier for new teams to join the race. They will have access to existing boats and technology," explains Iain Percy, Artemis Racing's team manager.
Rule changes are being drafted and teams will be asked to vote on these changes by the end of March.
Six teams have confirmed their participation in the next America's Cup: Larry Ellison's defending champion Oracle Team USA, the Swedes of Artemis Racing, the British of Ben Ainslie Racing, the New Zealanders of Emirates Team New Zealand, the Italians of Luna Rossa Challenge and the French of Team France.
Above from left to right: James Spithill (ORACLE Team USA); Iain Percy (Artemis Racing); Ben Ainslie (British Challenge). Below, from left to right: Dean Barker (Emirates Team New Zealand); Max Sirena (Luna Rossa Challenge); Franck Cammas (Team France).
