America’s Cup: Alinghi dismasted again

Whilst training ahead of the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta, Alinghi Red Bull Racing suffered a rig failure onboard ‘BoatOne’ on August 20, 2024

“Today there was a rig failure during the early stage of training on BoatOne. Everybody onboard is safe, and an investigation will be carried out in due course,” said Silvio Arrivabene, Swiss team Co-General Manager. “In the meantime, the team remains fully focused on racing.”

This is the second rig failure that the Swiss team have had to endure with a breakage occurring on June 13 whilst in training. No other team for the 37th America’s Cup has lost a rig since launching their new AC75s.

The team explained how they were sailing upwind in 13 or so knots when the mast suddenly came down. The mast had been newly acquired and in use for just 20 minutes. Today’s failed mast replaced the previous one, which had been in place for only a few hours before failing.

According to the team, each failure occurred in a very similar manner, and on both occasions, all load sensors indicated that the stress levels were well within acceptable limits. An investigation is underway to answer questions with regard to what happened to the masts’ structural integrity.

Teams are limited to one ‘legacy’ mast (from AC36) and two new ones, and it is presumed they have broken both their two new masts. The team intends to now use a mast which they say had successfully sailed over the past months, and will be installed for BoatOne to be in racing condition ready for dock out at 13h00 tomorrow.

The Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta is on August 22-25 with the Challenger Selection Series to begin on August 29.

How to watch:
On all competition days, races start at 14:00 CET (08:00 ET) and run until 16:30 or 17:00, depending on the schedule. Depending on the territory, the races may be available on the event website, YouTube, and Facebook. The races will also be broadcast in over 200 territories around the world. To check the available broadcast options, click here..

For live viewing opportunities, click here.

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 competition details, click here.

Additionally, 12 teams will compete in the 2024 Youth & Women’s America’s Cup.

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

Source: ACE, Scuttlebutt