Fifteen yacht clubs from 12 countries have committed to field teams to compete in the next America\u2019s Cup, scheduled in San Francisco in 2013. Launching the event are pre-Cup races called the America’s Cup World Series (ACWS), which start this summer in Europe and the US. The America\u2019s Cup now features two new high-tech catamaran designs representing the next generation in sailing technology, as well as onboard cameras for the ultimate in armchair participation.<\/p>\n
The ACWS will start in Cascais, Portugal in August, followed by a race in Plymouth, England in September. A third regatta in San Diego will take place between mid-October and early December. Two more events will take place in 2012 before the Louis Vuitton Series, which selects a \u201cChallenger\u201d among the competing teams to face off against the America\u2019s Cup \u201cDefender\u201d Oracle Racing in the 2013 America\u2019s Cup.<\/p>\n
Competing on the ACWS circuit will be the AC45 catamaran, a smaller version of the AC72. Both new designs are expected to reach speeds two to three times faster than previous IACC class monohulls. In fact, the tremendous speed and power, particularly of the larger AC72, introduces an entirely new and spine tingling element of danger to the competitions, as well as showcasing extraordinary breakthroughs in sailing technology.<\/p>\n