The French challenger for the 38th America's Cup has returned its AC75 to the water following an extensive modification programme ahead of the 2027 event in Naples.
Operated by the La Roche-Posay Racing Team, the yacht was relaunched in Lorient, France, marking the team's first sail since competing at the previous America's Cup in Barcelona. The relaunch makes the French syndicate the third challenger to return an AC75 to the water for the next campaign.
While the yacht retains the same hull platform used in the 37th America's Cup, the boat has undergone significant changes to comply with revised class rules for the next edition. According to the team, months of work have focused on adapting the AC75 to a new technical framework that includes a reduced crew size, redesigned onboard systems and a revised energy-management architecture.
Designed to foil above the water on retractable appendages, the 23-metre AC75 class is capable of speeds exceeding 50 knots and represents the pinnacle of modern sailing technology.
"The public will recognise the 2024 boat," said technical director Antoine Carraz. "But technically, this is not simply a refurbishment. We've had to rethink its internal architecture and the way the crew interacts with the vessel."
One of the most significant changes for the 38th America's Cup is the reduction in crew numbers from eight sailors to five, including a requirement for at least one female sailor on board. The new configuration has prompted a redesign of cockpit layouts, control stations and crew ergonomics.
The class rules have also eliminated the cycling stations used during the previous campaign. Instead of sailors generating hydraulic power through pedal-driven systems, onboard functions will now rely primarily on battery-powered energy systems.
"The disappearance of the cyclors is a major development," said Carraz. "Previously, part of the performance depended directly on the sailors' ability to generate power. Now, we have to manage a certain amount of onboard energy."
The team's engineers have also revised electrical and hydraulic systems throughout the yacht, with development work now shifting towards optimisation of foils, rudders, sails and control systems.
As with all America's Cup challengers returning existing boats under the new rules, much of the performance development is expected to focus on appendages, flight-control systems and energy efficiency rather than entirely new hull designs.
The relaunch follows several months of shore-based testing and simulation work. Initial sea trials in Lorient will focus on system validation and reliability before the programme relocates to Naples later this summer.
The French challenger is expected to begin sailing in Naples in October ahead of the 2027 America's Cup, which will be held in the Italian city from July next year.
The America's Cup will see challengers from France, Britain, Switzerland, Italy and the United States compete for the right to face defending champion Emirates Team New Zealand in the final match series.
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