But are these AC48' really one-designs?
No, because the shape of the appendages remains open.
The new rules dictate the shape of the hulls, the position of the daggerfoils, rudders and the wing. The geometry being fixed, they are 90% one-designs. The only latitude for research is on the shape of the appendages. The more limited the research space, the more expensive it is to find tangible advances.
The Defender having been able to target its research in this direction 6 months before imposing it on the Challengers, it is a very shaky one-design. The Deed of Gift, imposing to build everything in the country of origin, each team will have to make a mold. Funny monotype really.
Is the "cost-cutting" imposed by the Americans real?
Yes, but only for them.
A direct finalist, the Defender never planned to go to Auckland. Their initial arguments for "cost-cutting" were: fewer designers, smaller boat size and no relocation. This would not work for three reasons:
- The Defender has saved 6 months of study by starting earlier on the AC48'. The Challengers will have to work overtime to catch up;
- What the Challengers will save in Design Team on the AC62' will have to be invested in advanced research on appendages if they really want to be competitive;
- The savings from an Auckland-Bermuda move will be eaten up in at least five more months in Bermuda. Accommodation, food and travel are 4 to 5 times more expensive in Bermuda than in Auckland. Even with "small" AC48's, a competitive team is at least 100 people.
So why did the Defender impose this change?
To have total control of the event at a lower cost. In order:
- Eliminate the experienced and therefore dangerous competitors. For the Italians it is done, for the Neozeds it is in progress.
- Prevent inexperienced competitors from developing an efficient design team that would produce a boat that is too fast in front of them. For example, by selling them, literally and figuratively, AC48' one-designs.
- Control the design teams of teams that cannot afford an AC48'.
- Put a trusted person in charge of any new team that signs up before May 1.
The last argument put forward by Oracle for its "cost-cutting" was the possibility for two new teams, if the costs go down, to register before May 1st. One of the two is a Japanese team, which the former general manager of Oracle would be strongly recommended to lead.
The goal of a Defender has never been to run a fair race, but to keep The Cup. That's exactly why it's so hard to win.
