Emirates Team New Zealand's AC45. Image copyright Chris Cameron/Emirates Team New Zealand.
by Warren Douglas and SailRaceWin
The new livery for Emirates Team New Zealand’s AC45 catamaran went on display for the first time today when the yacht was re-launched at Auckland. With a bright red wing sail and the traditional black hull, the yacht has the New Zealand flag on each of the bows. The fern is also present.
Emirates Team New Zealand's AC45, with Buzzy Bee on the rudder. Image copyright Chris Cameron/Emirates Team New Zealand.
Emirates Team New Zealand has brought back Buzzy Bee! In the 32nd America's Cup, one keel on the ACC version 5 monohull was painted with the New Zealand flag and the other with the icon of New Zealand childhood, Buzzy Bee, a poll amongst team members. Now their AC45 catamaran has Buzzy Bee in a much more visible location - on the rudders.
The AC45 will be used in America's Cup World Series events – three regattas are scheduled for this year, and seven in 2012.
Emirates Team New Zealand's AC45. Image copyright Chris Cameron/Emirates Team New Zealand.
The race format and scoring for the 2011 AC World Series have been announced. The format will include a combination of fleet and match racing. Winners for fleet and match racing as well as an overall winner will be determined on the final day of each regatta. The AC World Series starts August 6, 2011 in Cassias, Portugal.
Emirates Team New Zealand's AC45. Image copyright Chris Cameron/Emirates Team New Zealand.
Teams are now working on design for the AC 72, the catamarans that will be raced in the Louis Vuitton Cup and America’s Cup regattas at San Francisco. Each team can build two AC 72s, the first due to be launched next year.
Emirates Team New Zealand
America's Cup
