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By signing a joint protocol, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and the Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd establish a new governance for the America's Cup. Naples will be the setting for this 38th edition, with modernized sporting formats and a technical component that directly influences the construction and use of AC75s and AC40s.
Collective governance and schedule stability
The America's Cup Partnership (ACP) becomes the decision-making body where each team has equal weight. The ACP manages sports logistics, rights marketing and event scheduling on a biennial cycle. This regular rhythm gives visibility to builders, equipment suppliers and local authorities wishing to invest over the long term.
AC75: master unit and design continuity
The AC75s remain the main support for the Louis Vuitton Cup and the final match. These hydrofoil monohulls, around 23 meters long, feature a flexible wing rig and an articulated-arm foil system. For the 38th America's Cup, the rules impose the reuse of hulls from the 37th edition whenever possible, with only optimizations authorized on appendages, onboard electronics and energy systems.
The new rules include :
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Crew reduced to five sailors the AC75s will now carry five sailors, with at least one female sailor on board. The rules stipulate that two sailors and the female sailor must be nationals of the flag represented. Up to two crew members may be foreigners.
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Battery-powered these include fewer on-board generators, and more precise power management for hydraulics and electronics. The evolution of systems, partly battery-powered, is also changing the role of crews, with greater emphasis on on-board energy management.
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Optimized weight every adjustment must maintain the balance between lightness and structural rigidity.
AC40: versatile platform and crew training
The AC40, a sort of miniature of the AC75, 11.80 meters long, are used for preliminary regattas and for women's and youth competitions. One-designs delivered ready to sail, they share the AC75 philosophy but on a reduced scale, with standardized foils and rigging to keep costs down.
Key technical points :
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Monotype architecture no hull development allowed, only sails and trimming can be optimized.
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Common AC75 systems this is an opportunity for young crews to train in a technical environment close to the final support.
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Dual use each team can enter two AC40s per event, one of which is reserved for the female/young crew.
Sporty formats and longer browsing times
The Louis Vuitton Cup now combines match racing and fleet racing, with a guaranteed minimum race time for each challenger. This format encourages the collection of data on set-up and strategy, providing more material for naval architects and performance managers to fine-tune their boats.
Budget management and industrial constraints
The seventy-five million euro ceiling encourages teams to optimize resources. Partner shipyards must respect the clause of building in the country of the flag, which implies an industrial organization adapted to manufacture high-precision composite elements locally.
On-board experience and sport visibility
The integration of a guest aboard the AC75s during the races is a novel element. This direct immersion will enable the media and sponsors to capture real-life data and sensations, helping to popularize hydrofoil sailing among the general public.
