We learned a few key things in today’s AC36 protocol announcement in Auckland. UPDATE: PROTOCOL HERE.
- RNZYS Commodore Steve Nair should never, ever try to pronounce an italian name again.
- The boat is a 75-foot long monohull, and the design details will be complete by next spring
- Cost containment is a fundamental principal
- The boats will need to be build in the country challenging.
- Nationality rule: Citizenship requirement is a mere 20%, the rest of the sailing team needs a strict residency requirement in the country they are representing. “It’s not a strict thing, but it’s an attempt
- Cup is Auckland 2021, but there’s no infrastructure or plans yet. 2019 and 2020 there will be pre-regattas.
- Two boats allowed per team.
- Challenger series will be organized by the CoR. AC will be organized by the defender. Joint group for broadcasting/sponsorship/umpiring and other common issues.
- Facebook Live means journalists can stay at work or at home, cause they sure didn’t show up to the press conference. Thank you ETNZ!
- “They might be” foiling. The next boat will be presented in November and it ‘definitely will be an exciting boat’.
- Some one-design componentry, some supplied parts likely. Development ‘open in the really important areas’.
- 10-12 crew, bicycles allowed.
- No tank testing allowed, no wind tunnels.
- If for any reason, it can’t be in Auckland, it’ll be in Italy.
- Prada Cup. Yes, Louis Vuitton is gone, and Prada is not only title sponsor of the challenger series, but presenting sponsor for the big one. Does LV have the balls to return on a Challenger’s sails?
- Independent regatta directors and race management, similar to Bermuda setup for RM.
- Longer races, ~40 minutes. Longer pre-start, upwind start.
Watch it all above, and weigh in here. We’re talking to Dalts tomorrow for the SA Podcast, so add your questions for him here.
