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The AC40 racing yacht embodies the latest generation of state-of-the-art sailing technology and is a pinnacle in the development of performance sailing yachts. The boat, its controls, sails, foils and mechanisms are all standardized so there is a strong focus on racing craft, positioning and foils technique to "fly over the water". On the water, each team consists of just four sailors with two oars steering from the front “pod” and two crew members responsible for sails and foils trim sitting in the rear pods. The race promises to be fast and furious as the AC40 can reach speeds of over 45 knots downwind and high 30 knots upwind.
The AC40s are the boats used for the Youth and Women's America's Cup events, as well as as training boats for the teams competing in the 37th Louis Vuitton America's Cup (AC75). Smaller but no less powerful, with a crew of four, these "racing yachts" were launched to great fanfare in September 2022 and their performance was astonishing.
The foils act as wings and provide buoyancy, allowing the boat to float above the water. Thanks to the low friction loss, the racing yacht can reach speeds of up to 80 km/h. The AC40s are built at McConaghy's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in New Zealand on a 7-axis CNC machine.
The racing yachts from the “America’s Cup”, the AC40 with “foiling wings”, require completely new knowledge when steering the yacht. Strategy and tactics also offer new challenges. Tactical Sailing - AC40 Simulation: There is a simulation of the “America’s Cup (AC)” from the AC40 racing yacht in the new program version “Highlights”. Just like at the next AC Cup in Barcelona, you can challenge a friend on your PC to sail the up-down course for the shortest time. It's a completely new feeling to race around the course so quickly on the PC.
Order the latest program version “Highlights” for playing and training, download here.
Foils: The foils act like wings and provide buoyancy, allowing the yacht to float above the water. Thanks to the low friction loss, the racing yacht can reach speeds of up to 100 km/h on the downwind course!
Tactics: “Foilers” are so fast on the downwind course that they can even overtake gusts of wind. They don't just sail with the gusts to leeward, they sail through them to leeward! This means that the tactician on board has to look for the new wind on a downwind course not from behind to windward, but from forward to leeward."
See a detailed description by Tilo Schnekenburger in the new 3rd edition of his book: "The Geometry of Regatta Sailing" (German) , download here.
Youth and Women's America's Cup: The AC40 will be the official boat for these special events, providing an exclusive platform in the 18-25 age range. For the first time in the history of the America's Cup, a women's edition of this regatta will be held. The America’s Cup Team Germany consists of outstanding sailors who have won, among other things, two Olympic medals and numerous championship titles, e.g. world champion Opti Tina Lutz, Luise Wanser in the 470 and Lukas Hesse, German champion in the 49er.
Training on the AC40 simulator from NZL: You not only practice on the water, but also with the AC40 simulator, which is provided by the Australians (NZL). Lukas is thrilled by the performance of modern simulation technology! After all, Lukas already knows the Tactical Sailing Simulator from his time as an “Opti-Sailor”!
With his buddy from Opti days: In 2020, Lukas climbed onto the Waszp parallel to his 49er commitment and tested the Persico 69F on Lake Garda. After his first sniff on Lake Garda, Lukas already has regatta experience at the Youth Foiling Gold Cup 69F can collect. At the Act in Cagliari he started with his sister Emilie, Jann Schüpbach and the 29er sailor Nell Castilla. “I have known Jann from my Opti days, since the 2013 World Cup and a subsequent invitation event in Bermuda. We have been friends ever since, even though Jann sailed 470s and I sailed 49s,” reports Lukas. Excerpts from SegekReporter, January 11, 2022 by Ralf Abratis.
“Participating in the Youth America’s Cupas a sailor is a unique opportunity to compete against the best young sailors in the world and showcase your skills on a global stage.” This high-profile competition pits talented sailors from six countries – Spain, Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Sweden and Australia – against established America’s Cup teams.
Optimal speeds are the decisive factors for the success of the team, the harmonious flow of movements during maneuvers on board and the optimal physical speed of the boat against and in front of the wind. The four-person team has a lot to train in order to move optimally on board, operate the foils and steer the optimal course up and downwind. Because just a few degrees of steering make a big difference, see the polar diagrams of the AC40.
The "Performance data (1)" from Emirate Team New Zealand shows the speed potential of an AC40 at the following wind speeds (knots-kts, true wind speed TWS):
(1) The performance data is estimated; the AC40 teams have to specifically test the properties of their AC40 during training.
US Challenger "American Magic" marked 100 days of sailing in their AC40 America with the release of some key statistics including an impressive to speed. The top speed released was less than 0.2kts off the magical 50kts mark. Performance statistics:
Max speed: 49.83 knots
Anderson Reggio, American Magic's performance analyst, sheds light on two-boat testing's value as the team enters the third week of testing both AC40s side by side in Barcelona, gearing up for the 2024 America's Cup.
See a video clip at instagram, magically flying by #Foiling.
Emirates "Team New Zealand" sailed twice - once with the Youth/Women's crew in the AC40-OD and on Wednesday with the LEQ12 and AC40 working through a racing/speed session.
While the America's Cup teams use their AC40s for testing, development, match racing training and other events, they will be used for both the Women's and Youth America's Cups as an important tool in establishing entry into the America's Cup. Cup for women and the next generation of “foils sailors”. This journey was made all the easier with the added benefit of the availability of the AC40 simulator, developed by Emirates Team New Zealand for pre-delivery training.
Abby Ehler had the opportunity to trial and test the TacticalSailing software at the boot Düsseldorf. "What a great tool for teaching youngsters, professionals and oldies alike, to visualise what happens out on our 'playground' the shifts, gain & loss, and pressure." Get the simulations in the Coach's Toolbox here. Paul Gerbecks who has masterminded this software is extremely passionate about the benefits this can offer to up and coming sailors in addition to their on water training. See more info from Abby Ehler on facebook. For example, Abby also sailed in the SCA - Volvo Ocean Race team.
Tina Lutz: Sailing started for Tina in the Opti, she was very successful in cups and championships. The then 14-year-old became a “sailing star” overnight because Tina Lutz became the first girl ever to become Opti World Champion in 2005. The joint career in the 49erFX ends where it first began in a boat on Valentine's Day 2007: Tina Lutz and Sanni Beucke say goodbye as an Olympic team and beaming Olympic runners-up at the 128th Kiel Week on their favorite area. “We were always there for each other in bad times and good times, we were a great team,” says Tina. When asked about her tips for the youngsters, she emphasized that it was important to go her own way, to get “out of the corset” and to rely completely on herself and her own coach Ian Barker, who guided the two “as fast as a rat.” Tina always knew that sailing was “an extremely mental sport” and worked consistently with mental trainers. “We managed not to think about the medal during the Olympic Games, even though it was difficult when the final race was postponed by a day,” says Tina, describing the path to the Olympic podium. Source: SegelReporter.com, Photo: © Sailing Energy / World Sailing. See: Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Silver Medal - Tina & Sanni.
America's Cup - Women's AC Team Germany: Tina: "When I was 15, I was allowed to sail on an 'America's Cup boat' for the first time as an Optiwel champion. Chris Dickson invited me to try it out - I was even allowed to steer myself. One thing was immediately clear: one thing was clear One day I would also like to sail in the 'America's Cup. It would be amazing if this childhood dream came true..." (Source: Tina Lutz (born 1990)www.ac-team-germany.com/team/.
Luise Wanser at Women's America's Cup: For the first time in the history of the America's Cup, a women's edition of the regatta will be held - a significant milestone in promoting equality in sailing. The America's Cup Team Germany is represented by athletes who have won, among other things, two Olympic medals and numerous world championship titles, e.g. Luise Wanser 470, see report.
Youth America's Cup: The 2024 Youth America's Cup marks the third edition of the international sailing competition and acts as the youth edition of the prestigious America's Cup. The event offers an exclusive platform for sailors aged 18 to 25 to showcase their outstanding skills on the international stage.
The AC Team Germany is an association of sailing athletes who are preparing as a team for the Youth and Women's Americas Cup 2024. The team has set itself the long-term goal of taking part in the America's Cup from 2028 and playing a decisive role in the sailing regatta.
Welcome to the 37th Louis Vuitton America’s Cup, taking place between August and October 2024 in the beating heart of beautiful Barcelona, capital of Catalonia and one of the most visited cities on earth. Located around Port Vell and along the beach to Port Olímpic, the sailing world has made Barcelona its home for one of the most demanding America's Cups in the event's 174-year history.
WHAT IS THE AMERICA'S CUP: THE RACE WITHOUT SECOND PLACE: It is the oldest international sports trophy - dating back to 1851 - and is considered one of the toughest sporting endeavors. The New York Yacht Club, one of the most prestigious clubs in the world, held the trophy for 132 years before losing it to Australia in 1983. Since then, the cup has only been won by teams from the USA, Switzerland and New Zealand. The current defending champions of the America's Cup are Emirates Team New Zealand, representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.
Luise Wanser became world champion in the 470, see a report here. Several types of boats are available in the Tactical Sailing program, including 470s in several colors. Operating the 470 is easy: with 1 click you can tack, jibe, luff or bear away. The computer program simulates the process of a regatta from start to finish. You can play and learn with tactical sailing boats - including a model 470. You will receive tactical tips from experienced sailors and trainers.
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