Multiplast: From design to delivery

Five of the six teams entered in the 37th America’s Cup are now training on their AC75s, with the late entry of Orient Express Racing Team as the final boat to be revealed. This should be soon as Samuel Napoleoni, manager of this project at builder Multiplast, shares the process of going from design to delivery:

The hull of the French AC75 was delivered on time?
Yes, we even delivered the boat a week early! In detail, we received the hull design plans with the sign off for execution on May 11, 2023, and the composite work was completed on March 22, 2024. The schedule was very ambitious: 46,000 hours of work in ten months. For comparison, for an IMOCA, it takes 36,000 hours spread over 14 months (moulds included in both cases).

It was therefore necessary to plan more hours in less time. We believed in it, but we knew we couldn’t give up. Ultimately, the challenge was fulfilled thanks to the big commitment of the teams who were very busy. Everyone understood what was at stake and a great initiative was created. Everything went well from start to finish. There were obviously small problems now and then, but everyone played their part perfectly.

How many people were mobilized at the peak of construction?
Up to 55 people worked in parallel in the workshop. At the design office level, there were up to ten people involved at the same time, which is completely unprecedented! The peak of an IMOCA construction mobilizes a maximum of five people.

How was the collaboration with the Orient Express Racing Team, which was based there?
Good! The French challenge guys, supervised by Antoine Carraz, were there every day, and they followed absolutely every stage of the construction. Everything was smooth and transparent. We worked as an open book, literally and figuratively, and shared all decisions. The Multiplast and Orient Express Racing Team teams really merged. This work together made things much easier and made it possible to meet deadlines.

What were the main challenges faced during construction?
The main issue was planning. At the beginning, when we see on the roadmap 50 people working in parallel in the workshop and 10 in the design office, it may seem impressive. Everything had to be coordinated and communicated to make as many people work as efficiently as possible, without wasting time.

Bringing together so many people on the same project allows everyone to progress, both the most experienced and the youngest. This build was a real catalyst for skills. The other big challenge was technical with the use of very high-tech materials, such as aluminum honeycomb, inherently more complicated to implement than the Nomex used on our other competition boats. Fortunately, our experience with aeronautical parts using this material has made things much easier for us.

Following the publication of the AC37 Protocol and AC75 Class Rule on November 17, 2021, the AC75 Class Rule and AC Technical Regulations were finalized on March 17, 2022. The entry period opened December 1, 2021 and runs until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup may be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the venue reveal, confirming it would be Barcelona on March 30, 2022. The 37th America’s Cup begins October 12, 2024.

Teams revealed to challenge defender Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL):
• INEOS Britannia (GBR)
• Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI)
• Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA)
• NYYC American Magic (USA)
• Orient Express Racing Team (FRA)

2023-24 Preliminary Regattas
September 14-17, 2023 (AC40): Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain
November 30-December 2 (AC40): Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
August 22-25, 2024 (AC75): Barcelona, Spain

2024 Challenger Selection Series
August 29-September 8: Double Round Robin
September 14-19: Semi Finals (Best of 9)
September 26-October 7: Finals (Best of 13)

2024 America’s Cup
October 12-21: 37th Match (Best of 13)

For more schedule details, click here.
Additionally, 12 teams will compete in the 2024 Youth & Women’s America’s Cup.

Noticeboard: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/
Additional details: www.americascup.com/en/home

Source: Multiplast