French join America’s Cup splash party

Barcelona, Spain (May 29, 2024) – Orient Express Racing Team opened a new chapter in their America’s Cup story today with the christening of their new AC75 race boat, a notable milestone for the French team — representing the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez — which is united in its dream of bringing the world’s oldest sporting trophy to France for the first time.

The official reveal comes after the midnight blue hull, with a thin gold stripe flowing from bow to stern, was first glimpsed on May 25 when her 26m mast was fitted, followed by her launch two days ago.

“This is a remarkable moment on our journey, one where the dream shared by myself, Bruno Dubois and the entire Orient Express Racing Team has become a reality,” said Stephan Kandler, Founder of K-Challenge and co-CEO of Orient Express Racing Team. This marks his second America’s Cup campaign, having spearheaded the K-Challenge project in the 2007 Cup series.

Kandler set the project’s wheels in motion with co-CEO Bruno Dubois in 2022 and have been joined by sailing legend Franck Cammas as Head of Performance, Benjamin Muyl as Head of Design, Antoine Carraz as Chief Technical Officer, Louis Viat as Chief Operating Officer, and race skipper Quentin Delapierre.

The French team officially confirmed their challenge in February 2023, having purchased an AC75 design package from the New Zealand defender which allowed them to make up valuable ground. The christening marks the culmination of nine months and 46,000 hours to build the yacht, first at the Multiplast site in Vannes, France, followed by two months of fitting out at the French base in Barcelona.

“Now the focus moves to the race and shore teams who have the opportunity to apply all that they have learned in the simulator and on the AC40 to the AC75, with the big challenge ahead for us all,” reports Dubois.

All six teams have now splashed their AC75s, with all the challengers in Barcelona while Team New Zealand is in transit from their home base in Auckland.

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 was from December 1, 2021 until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup could be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the reveal, finally confirming 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