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The New York Yacht Club American Magic rolled out its new AC75, named 'Patriot' for the 37th America's Cup Competition in Barcelona, Spain. The deck layout places the helms and trimmers side by side and well forward.

The boat has many design features and quirks, including recumbent cyclors facing aft and sculpted, almost harlequin-style foils blended into a sharp stubby bulb with an aggressive point.

The team completed a 7.5 nautical mile tow test and set the MN2-1 mainsail and J3-1 jib.

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As the sailing world eagerly awaits the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup, the intensity of the competition is only increasing. With four teams revealing their newly-designed AC75s, it's clear that each team has found unique solutions to the same questions, and the stakes have never been higher.

Design teams have been working tirelessly to deliver their best and latest thinking, while electronics and mechatronics engineers have been hard at work producing the control and power-delivery systems that will define each team’s campaign. And as the competition heats up, the teams have revealed some of their secrets.

With three teams already sailing, it's clear that fast-flight is being achieved by a combination of Barcelona-specific hull design and clever-thinking on controls. While Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli are only showing a fraction of their potential, Alinghi Red Bull Racing has everyone sitting up and taking notice with their full-span bespoke foils, which are having an enormous effect on performance.

newly-designed AC75 designs

The differences in hull design and bustle treatment are more nuanced. While it's easy to say that Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli share a similar progressive thinking, INEOS Britannia is also a contender with their own unique design. However, Alinghi Red Bull Racing has thrown a spanner in the works with their chine on the bow and full-length, considerable bustle leading to the stern.

newly-designed AC75

All the teams have gone for T-section shapes at the stern run-off, but it's in the bow area where the differences are most marked. INEOS Britannia boasts real volume in their in-built, immediately voluminous bustle, while the Italians and Kiwis have aggressively flared bow profiles back to the foil arm boxes.

The deck area is also a key consideration. For anyone who has seen an overlaid flow diagram of an AC75, the biggest disturbance air passing over the yacht is at deck level, and it's here where designers and technicians have worked the hardest. The Italians have a beautifully contoured naked carbon approach, molding the side pods evenly into the deck and aft off the transom. Emirates Team New Zealand does the same with a raised ellipse stern that screams aero.

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The INEOS Britannia base opened its shutters just after 5 am on Saturday, revealing the latest AC75 to be unveiled for the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup. The boat, codenamed RB3 for the past two-and-a-half years, is a sight to behold with its stunning, all-business paint job that accentuates the hull form in a way that tricks the eye.

The design and build of the boat represent the very best in innovation and detail, with a hull form that has been the talk of the town since its reveal. The British have gone for a step-up from their prototype boat 'T6', featuring a voluminous, integrated bustle in the bow with a small chine leading back along the keel-line to a razor-sharp edged lower bustle that stops a few feet from the stern.

The stern gantry is also a sight to see, with its beautifully sculpted design that screams Formula 1. The almost dead-flat stern run-off is unlikely to be touching the water in flight, which is the thinking, at least. The area that has been of much interest in this Cup cycle is the aero moulding of the deck, and here INEOS Britannia seems to have aced it.

The shutters opened at the INEOS Britannia base just after 5am on Saturday, and out into the moonlight under floodlight came the boat that all British fans hope will have the best chance of winning the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup in 173 years.The shutters opened at the INEOS Britannia base just after 5am on Saturday, and out into the moonlight under floodlight came the boat that all British fans hope will have the best chance of winning the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup in 173 years Photo Cameron Gregory

The deck run-off aft is highly aero optimised, similar in form to both Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, but with perhaps slightly more 'tunnel'. The cyclor pods end with a gradual pinch that flows all the way to the transom, and the four pods either side look to be a big nod to aero. Up on the bow, there is considerable moulding that appears drop-nosed in form, undoubtedly the result of endless hours in simulations to create the perfect flow into the jibs.

Overall, the RB3 is a masterpiece in design and innovation, and British fans are hopeful it will give them the best chance of winning the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup in 173 years.

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Alinghi Red Bull Racing Base has officially presented its race yacht, BoatOne, in a grand ceremony that featured a human tower constructed by the traditional Castellers. The milestone marks a significant shift to the final competition phase of the campaign with the official opening of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup just a little more than four months away.

The christening ceremony took place at the dockside where BoatOne was formally introduced to the world. Chiara Bertarelli, the designated honouree, cracked the bottle of Champagne across the bow, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the team's journey towards the America's Cup.

The BoatOne is the first vessel that Alinghi Red Bull Racing Base has designed and built together. Team members watched with collective pride as the racing machine was craned into the water for its first contact with the sea and some initial systems checks.

“This is the most amazing thing with a boat like this,” said Principal Designer Marcelino Botin. “It's the result of many people bringing their skills, expertise, and passion to reach a result that reflects the team's expectation.”

While it was a day to soak in pride, there was also the acknowledgement that there is much work ahead. “Launching the boat marks the next stage for us, finally sailing BoatOne. The Sailing team will now have to keep up the amazing work done by the designers and boat builders,” said Skipper Arnaud Psarofaghis.

Overall, the boat presentation was a momentous occasion for Alinghi Red Bull Racing Base, marking the end of one phase and the beginning of another. With the launch of BoatOne, the team is now one step closer to realizing its dream of winning the prestigious America's Cup.

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If you were wondering why an AC40 was sailing in Belfast Lough in the last few days, here is the answer.

About a week ago, the AC40 arrived in Belfast for the Swedish Women's and Youth America's Cup teams for training in preparation for the Youth and Puig America’s Cup during September/October, running parallel to the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona.

This foiling monohull was in Belfast with Artemis Technologies, whose CEO is Iain Percy, ex-2000 Finn Olympic Gold medal winner and ex-2005 America’s Cup +39 Challenge skipper.

Percy instructed the team on the AC simulator and explained why using a simulator is so important. Artemis Technologies is supporting the Swedish Challenge which is united under both the Royal Swedish Yacht Club and Gothenburg Royal Yacht Club – said to be a huge boost to the country’s future participation in the America’s Cup.

The AC40 was watched by some Cockle Island Boat Club members who were “thrilled to see these talented sailors honing their skills right here". "Belfast Lough provides the perfect setting for world-class sailing, and we were excited to witness these elite international teams preparing for their challenge", they added.

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The city of Cagliari was buzzing with excitement as Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli launched its boat for the 37th America's Cup. The sailing-mad 'Tifosi' - Italian fans of the sport - are hoping that the boat will bring the coveted trophy to the magnificent island of Sardinia.

The boat, which has been meticulously designed, features a see-through, naked, carbon deck moulding that arcs up to the four-man pods either side with the helms positioned just behind the trim team and the 'pain locker' cyclors positioned aft. The foils, which are clearly legacy AC36, are located forward of the mast, and the ram is exquisitely indented and shaped into the hull. The bustle is conservative and looks right, while there is nothing 'out there' in terms of the deck form that looks like a risk. The boat is pure muscle with so much going on below decks, unseen and top-secret IP, that will be delivered by a team that has undoubtedly had one of the best preparations through the last 18 months.

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli - the new breed of AC75's with a slender bustle running the full length and tapering logically off the bowLuna Rossa Prada Pirelli - the new breed of AC75's with a slender bustle running the full length and tapering logically off the bow

The hull form is atypical of the new breed of AC75's with a slender bustle running the full length and tapering logically off the bow. The bow profile is sharp, kicking off the immediate flaring underneath, while on top, it is sculpted and tapering forward as low-profile as possible within the volume rule. The pods are deep with the cyclors able to tuck in, almost unseen, behind the helm and trim teams.

Some 5,000 fans watched the launch on social media, and countless thousands will marvel at the boat with pride, seeing it as a piece of art created by the true artisans of the America's Cup.

Speaking with Ruggi Tita and Marco Gradoni, the excitement is real, elucidated by a boat that can absolutely deliver, while Max Sirena and Checco Bruni looked like kids on Christmas morning - they know this is a reference boat that gives them every chance of going very deep and with plenty of runway to keep developing through the rounds - their calling-card of the Auckland regatta in 2021. 

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli is deeply rooted in the national identity of Italy and taps into the Italian psyche. The Prada family's support of the America's Cup is infectious, and the 'golden' generation coming through (fast) is something so exciting, real and tangible. Fusing experience with raw talent is something that the management knows they have to manage, but there's a deep awareness in the team that they have something very special - a generational talent in Gradoni and Tita that could well define the America's Cup for decades to come.

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Emirates Team New Zealand's new AC75 race boat has emerged from its building facility after an intensive 10-month programme. The America's Cup boat was wheeled out to prepare for its launch and commissioning phase in Auckland this month.

The team's COO, Kevin Shoebridge, said that it was a significant moment for any team when their race boat emerged from the shed and saw the light of day. He added that these moments were the most revealing of any campaign, giving an indication of the team's design path.

The boat was transported from the North Shore build facility to the Wynyard Point base under the cover of darkness, where an intensive fit-out program was undertaken. Shoebridge said that the team had the day on the calendar for a long time, and it was critical to hit these important milestones.

Emirates Team New Zealand continues to commission and prepare the new AC75 for its naming ceremony next week Photo: Emirates Team New ZealandEmirates Team New Zealand continues to commission and prepare the new AC75 for its naming ceremony next week Photo: Emirates Team New Zealand

The team is now preparing for the boat's naming ceremony next week. Shoebridge acknowledged the team's hard work, dedication, and commitment, but also noted that they still have a mountain to climb over the next seven months to defend the America's Cup in October successfully.

Despite the immense secrecy surrounding America's Cup campaigns, Shoebridge said that there comes a time when teams need to show some of their cards. While this boat's launch reveals only a portion of the team's designs, it indicates the team's design path and the boat's commissioning and the first sail will reveal more about the team's progress.

Meanwhile, the America’s Cup Barcelona 2024 will be launched in Ireland later this month by the Spanish Tourism Office with a special presentation in Dublin.

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Emirates Team New Zealand sailed accurately and consistently to win the America's Cup Preliminary Regatta in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. They aced the Grand Final from start to finish, while Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli secured their spot in the Grand Final with another brilliant win in Race 7. The Closing Ceremony marked the end of the regatta, but it opened up a world-class venue for high-performance sailing that is both ambitious and visionary in its dedication to the sport. 

The Jeddah Yacht Club & Marina hosted the America's Cup. The event was a global first for the America's Cup in the Red Sea. 

Emirates Team New Zealand Photo: Ricardo PintoEmirates Team New Zealand Photo: Ricardo Pinto

Tom Slingsby, Skipper of NYYC American Magic, was really impressed with the event. He praised the hospitality, sailing, and venue, and believed that high-level events could come here in the future. Sir Ben Ainslie, Team Principle of INEOS Britannia, also echoed Tom's words and said that it was a phenomenal event with brilliant conditions. The hosts were truly wonderful and provided a better reception for the event. 

On the water, the fleet of AC40s executed the first two races of the day to decide the final spot in the Grand Final Match Race shoot out. Emirates Team New Zealand had already secured their place with another two wins and one second place. The Kiwis, however, weren't playing it safe. They seemed determined to stamp their mark on this Preliminary Regatta, garnering valuable race-craft and boat trim data in the conditions. 

For Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, the Italians had issues with the boat's electronics suffering in the heat of the Red Sea. They entered the Match Race Final start-box late which gave the upper hand to Emirates Team New Zealand early on. The Kiwis capitalised on this to lead off the start line, but all around the course, it was desperately close until the very final windward mark. On a bear-away, the Italians got high, and with the rudder exiting the water, a nose-dive splashdown put paid to their race. 

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli competing off Jeddah Photo: Ricardo Pinto Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli competing off Jeddah Photo: Ricardo Pinto 

Emirates Team New Zealand capitalised on the situation, with Peter Burling, Nathan Outteridge, Blair Tuke and Andy Maloney making no mistakes on the downwind leg to cross the finish line and secure a popular regatta win. They made it count when it mattered most, kept the pressure on and the intensity high, and proved that this tight-knit group of talented sailors can handle the white-hot pressure of America's Cup racing. 

Emirates Team New Zealand capitalised on the situation, with Peter Burling, Nathan Outteridge, Blair Tuke and Andy MaloneyEmirates Team New Zealand capitalised on the situation, with Peter Burling, Nathan Outteridge, Blair Tuke and Andy Maloney Photo: Ricardo Pinto

Speaking afterwards, Peter Burling said; “Another awesome day of sailing. I feel like we made our lives a little bit harder than we needed to in that last race, but we've been sailing so well all week, haven't done too many things wrong and we're super happy to come away with the win here in Jeddah… It has been awesome here and a great showcase for our sport. To have a couple of breezy days here, it's been amazing.” 

Blair Tuke, Trimmer on Emirates Team New Zealand, summed up the regatta saying: “The last two days have shown what the AC40 class can be like, and we've enjoyed the close racing, beautiful conditions here, and it has been a great advertisement for our sport.” 

For Ruggero Tita, helmsman on Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, the regatta was a super good experience, and they were happy about the result. But seeing the possibility of winning so close, they regretted not doing more.

America's Cup Preliminary Regatta Jeddah ResultsAmerica's Cup Preliminary Regatta Jeddah Results

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With NYYC American topping the final series standings after a simply stunning day at Vilanova i La Geltrú where they took their chances, front-ran like demons and sailed incredibly smoothly, it was all-on for the Match Race Grand Final against Emirates Team New Zealand. The Kiwis had been the team to beat all regatta. Their speed and execution of manoeuvres were widely viewed as the blueprint for AC40 sailing, and in foiling conditions, these two outstanding syndicates of the 37th America’s Cup would have been hard to split.

Unfortunately, with the seconds ticking down on the start, the wind shut down, and the first Emirates Team New Zealand splashed down to displacement, quickly followed by NYYC American Magic. Indeed, the Kiwis struggled even to start correctly, copping a number of penalties, but as both boats headed upwind, the battle was against the clock.

With a ten-minute time limit to reach the first gate and with the crews desperately trying every trick to try and coax their boat up on the foils, speeds dropped to around 5-7 knots, and the flow wouldn’t stick.

Having come into the final day of the first Preliminary Regatta of the 37th America’s Cup here in Vilanova i La Geltrú sitting in fifth place, it was an outside bet at best that NYYC American Magic could climb the leaderboard and challenge for a spot in the Match Race Grand Final.Having come into the final day of the first Preliminary Regatta of the 37th America’s Cup in Vilanova i La Geltrú sitting in fifth place, it was an outside bet at best that NYYC American Magic could climb the leaderboard and challenge for a spot in the Match Race Grand Final

The only option for the Race Committee was to abandon the Match Race Grand Final and thereby award the first Preliminary Regatta of the 37th America’s Cup to New York Yacht Club American Magic.

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The 37th America's Cup cycle experienced a delay due to a thunderstorm that swept past Vilanova i La Geltrú, the first Preliminary Regatta of The 37th America’s Cup.

The storm soaked the AC40 fleet and deprived the area of wind, compelling the Race Director to cancel sailing for the day.

Emirates Team New Zealand helmsman Nathan Outteridge agreed with the decision, stating, "It was good to give racing a chance. We all want to be here and we all want to race. It would have been nice if the weather was better."

Emirates Team New Zealand with their AC40 Te Kakahi back ashore in Vilanova i la Geltru Photo: James SomersetEmirates Team New Zealand with their AC40 Te Kakahi back ashore in Vilanova i la Geltru Photo: James Somerset

Outteridge described the conditions as "pretty wet" and said that the wind was only 4 or 5 knots by the time they got going. Iain Murray realized that it wasn't worth the risk and got the boats back to the dock after about 10 minutes.

Despite the setback, everyone anticipates tomorrow's racing, which is scheduled to take place between 15:30-17:30 local time / 01:30-03:30 NZT and is expected to be dryer. You can watch the race live or on demand on the America's Cup YouTube channel

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Royal St. George Yacht Club

The Royal St George Yacht Club was founded in Dun Laoghaire (then Kingstown) Harbour in 1838 by a small number of like-minded individuals who liked to go rowing and sailing together. The club gradually gathered pace and has become, with the passage of time and the unstinting efforts of its Flag Officers, committees and members, a world-class yacht club.

Today, the ‘George’, as it is known by everyone, maybe one of the world’s oldest sailing clubs, but it has a very contemporary friendly outlook that is in touch with the demands of today and offers world-class facilities for all forms of water sports

Royal St. George Yacht Club FAQs

The Royal St George Yacht Club — often abbreviated as RStGYC and affectionately known as ‘the George’ — is one of the world’s oldest sailing clubs, and one of a number that ring Dublin Bay on the East Coast of Ireland.

The Royal St George Yacht Club is based at the harbour of Dun Laoghaire, a suburban coastal town in south Co Dublin around 11km south-east of Dublin city centre and with a population of some 26,000. The Royal St George is one of the four Dun Laoghaire Waterfront Clubs, along with the National Yacht Club, Royal Irish Yacht Club (RIYC) and Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club (DMYC).

The Royal St George was founded by members of the Pembroke Rowing Club in 1838 and was originally known as Kingstown Boat Club, as Kingstown was what Dun Laoghaire was named at the time. The club obtained royal patronage in 1845 and became known as Royal Kingstown Yacht Club. After 1847 the club took on its current name.

The George is first and foremost an active yacht club with a strong commitment to and involvement with all aspects of the sport of sailing, whether racing your one design on Dublin Bay, to offshore racing in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, to junior sailing, to cruising and all that can loosely be described as “messing about in boats”.

As of November 2020, the Commodore of the Royal St George Yacht Club is Peter Bowring, with Richard O’Connor as Vice-Commodore. The club has two Rear-Commodores, Mark Hennessy for Sailing and Derek Ryan for Social.

As of November 2020, the Royal St George has around 1,900 members.

The Royal St George’s burgee is a red pennant with a white cross which has a crown at its centre. The club’s ensign has a blue field with the Irish tricolour in its top left corner and a crown towards the bottom right corner.

Yes, the club hosts regular weekly racing for dinghies and keelboats as well as a number of national and international sailing events each season. Major annual events include the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta, hosted in conjunction with the three other Dun Laoghaire Waterfront Clubs.

Yes, the Royal St George has a vibrant junior sailing section that organises training and events throughout the year.

Sail training is a core part of what the George does, and training programmes start with the Sea Squirts aged 5 to 8, continuing through its Irish Sailing Youth Training Scheme for ages 8 to 18, with adult sail training a new feature since 2009. The George runs probably the largest and most comprehensive programme each summer with upwards of 500 children participating. This junior focus continues at competitive level, with coaching programmes run for aspiring young racers from Optimist through to Lasers, 420s and Skiffs.

 

The most popular boats raced at the club are one-design keelboats such as the Dragon, Shipman 28, Ruffian, SB20, Squib and J80; dinghy classes including the Laser, RS200 and RS400; junior classes the 420, Optimist and Laser Radial; and heritage wooden boats including the Water Wags, the oldest one-design dinghy class in the world. The club also has a large group of cruising yachts.

The Royal St George is based in a Victorian-style clubhouse that dates from 1843 and adjoins the harbour’s Watering Pier. The clubhouse was conceived as a miniature classical Palladian Villa, a feature which has been faithfully maintained despite a series of extensions, and a 1919 fire that destroyed all but four rooms. Additionally, the club has a substantial forecourt with space for more than 50 boats dry sailing, as well as its entire dinghy fleet. There is also a dry dock, four cranes (limit 12 tonnes) and a dedicated lift=out facility enabling members keep their boats in ready to race condition at all times. The George also has a floating dock for short stays and can supply fuel, power and water to visitors.

Yes, the Royal St George’s clubhouse offers a full bar and catering service for members, visitors and guests. Currently the bar is closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The Royal St George boathouse is open daily from 9.30am to 5.30pm during the winter. The office and reception are open Tuesdays to Fridays from 10am to 5pm. The bar is currently closed due to Covid-19 restrictions. Lunch is served on Wednesdays and Fridays from 12.30pm to 2.30pm, with brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 3pm.

Yes, the Royal St George regularly hosts weddings and family celebrations from birthdays to christenings, and offers a unique and prestigious location to celebrate your day. The club also hosts corporate meetings, sailing workshops and company celebrations with a choice of rooms. From small private meetings to work parties and celebrations hosting up to 150 guests, the club can professionally and successfully manage your corporate requirements. In addition, team building events can utilise its fleet of club boats and highly trained instructors. For enquiries contact Laura Smart at [email protected] or phone 01 280 1811.

The George is delighted to welcome new members. It may look traditional — and is proud of its heritage — but behind the facade is a lively and friendly club, steeped in history but not stuck in it. It is a strongly held belief that new members bring new ideas, new skills and new contacts on both the sailing and social sides.

No — members can avail of the club’s own fleet of watercraft.

There is currently no joining fee for new members of the Royal St George. The introductory ordinary membership subscription fee is €775 annually for the first two years. A full list of membership categories and related annual subscriptions is available.

Membership subscriptions are renewed on an annual basis

Full contact details for the club and its staff can be found at the top of this page

©Afloat 2020

RStGYC SAILING DATES 2024

  • April 13th Lift In
  • May 18th & 19th Cannonball Trophy
  • May 25th & 26th 'George' Invitational Regatta
  • July 6th RSGYC Regatta
  • August 10th & 11th Irish Waszp National Championships
  • August 22- 25th Dragon Irish National Championships / Grand Prix
  • Aug 31st / Sept 1st Elmo Trophy
  • September 6th End of Season Race
  • September 7th & 8th Squib East Coast Championships
  • September 20th - 22nd SB20 National Championships
  • September 22nd Topper Ireland Traveller Event
  • October 12th Lift Out

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