The Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand, and the Challenger of Record, Ineos Britannia, have released the Protocol for the next America’s Cup, which sets the rules for the event. As well as the challenger selection races and the Final Match, which will take place in 2024 and feature an updated version of the AC75 class boats, the 37th America’s Cup will include two preliminary events, to be held in different locations from the Final Match and with the teams competing on smaller, AC40 boats, and a third preliminary event using AC75 craft at the same venue as the Final Match. The AC40s, which will enable the teams to test out new appendages and other technical innovations, will also be used in the new Youth (for under 25s) and Women’s America’s Cup Regattas, which all teams signed up to the America’s Cup will be obliged to enter. Some changes have also been made to the AC75 boats: the Code Zero and bowsprit have been removed, the weight has been reduced by about a tonne, and the wings have been altered to produce a draught of 4.5 metres (up from the current 4.0 metres), meaning the craft will lift off and foil with a lower wind strength. The boats will have a self-tacking jib, the crew has been reduced from eleven to eight, and cycle grinders can once again be used to power the hydraulic systems.
n° 71 - 23 November 2021