The “revolutionary” AC40 foiling yacht designed by Emirates Team New Zealand is now available for private owners to compete in a new AC40 Grand Prix Circuit.
Conceived as a strict one-design 40-foot version of the AC75 yachts that competed in the 36th America’s Cup, the AC40 went into production in early 2022 is set for even significant exposure this year as it’s raced in preliminary regattas in Vilanova and Jeddah.
What’s more, next year’s Youth and Women’s America’s Cup in Barcelona will also be raced in AC40s, with 12 international teams committed to both events.
With nine AC40s already launched and three more currently in production, exclusive builder McConaghy Boats has a strong mandate from private owners and syndicates to create a new grand prix circuit for the AC40 class.
The class is administered by the AC40 Management Group — comprising Emirates Team New Zealand, McConaghy Boats and Ancasta International Boat Sales — which is now focused on establishing a class of privately owned AC40s to do just that, adding to the existing yachts built for the America’s Cup.
This fleet of privately owned and skippered AC40s will participate in both circuits and championship racing, promising “an extraordinary experience for the lucky few who have the means and ambition to participate in the most exciting form of sailing around”
Logistics were a key factor in the overall design of the AC40. The entire yacht, including hull, mast and appendages, packs down onto a supplied 40-foot flat rack for ease of transport on container ships or trucks.
The yacht can be unpacked and afloat in 48 hours, requiring a minimal support team. With only four crew and a slim sail wardrobe, operating costs are surprisingly low.
A centralised technical support service is also available through the class subscription, which will also provide access to a collective inventory of spares.
And there is a commitment to record and share performance data between teams, which is seen as a key element in ensuring long-term competitiveness within the class, and will be offered to all new teams to the circuit. No crew will therefore have a knowledge advantage over another — true one-design racing.
Meanwhile, a Mediterranean training base will be established as a base for the AC40 fleet, where training sessions will be provided throughout the pre-season including boat handling, performance training, safety skills and practice in an AC40 simulator to obtain an AC40 Class Licence.
The class is organising video conferences to discuss its plans, from events to shared services, on 31 August and 5 September. To join the calls, and for all enquiries, contact [email protected].
