AC Race management CEO Iain Murray announces format changes for 2011 America's Cup World Series Regatta
Iain Murray, America’s Cup Race management CEO, has announced certain changes in the format of America’s Cup (AC) World Series Regatta 2011 starting from Saturday, August 6 at the Cascais in Portugal.
The management has decided that the AC45 yachts will be used for sailing in all America’s Cup World Series Regatta until July 1, 2012.
The AC45 yacht was confirmed to be used for the AC World Series 2011 after its successful test on water. The series will feature three races in 2011, five in 2012 and again three in 2013 with AC45
to be used for the first seven races (till June 30, 2012).
The AC45 boats replaced the larger AC72s after a voting of America’s Cup contenders on Tuesday, May 31. The AC72 boats will now be used in the AC World Series races starting from July 1, 2012.
While announcing about the changes, Murray said, "The AC45s are ticking off all the boxes for a great event package. The sailors have found these cats to be fast and fun to race. They are challenging,
they are exciting, and when the best sailors in the world get their hands on them, they produce close, tight racing."
He added, "By making the AC45 the boat of the AC World Series, logistics and overhead can be dramatically reduced at the outset of the 34th America's Cup cycle. This is a great benefit for all of
our teams, providing them with more time in the commercial marketplace and less of a cash investment up front."
The AC Race management has also made some changes in the format of AC World Series regatta. According to the new format, there will be a combination of Match and Fleet Racing in each regatta and the
final Sunday will feature the overall winner of the race.
The first leg of the 2011 America’s Cup World Series will run from August 6-14, second leg from September 10-18 and the race dates for the third leg are yet to be announced officially.
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