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THE BOATS
AC75, AC40 & HYDROGEN BOATSBoth the AC75 and AC40 classes will return for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup, promising even more boundary-pushing advancements. With rule changes and design guidelines being further developed, teams will be looking forward to preparing to defy physics, embrace bold innovations, and deliver a spectacle that redefines the future of sailing. For fans, sponsors, and stakeholders, the next chapter of the America’s Cup promises to be more dynamic, cutting-edge, and inspiring than ever before.
In addition to the thrilling sight of foiling sailboats in action, the America’s Cup brings innovation to the water with the competing teams fielding sustainably fuelled chase boats. This move not only reduces the event's environmental impact but also underscores the America’s Cup as a leader in technological and sustainable innovation.
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AC75: THE AMERICA’S CUP BOAT
A FLYING MONOHULLThe AC75 first appeared on the racecourse during the 36th America's Cup in Auckland in 2021, and returned for the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup. The boats evolved significantly: larger foils enabled faster lift and flight, the hulls were lighter, and advanced electronics and software systems were introduced.
As the sailing world looks ahead to the teams' iterations and developments for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup in Naples, one thing is certain: innovation will again be front and centre. While core one-design elements will remain, teams are expected to push boundaries through custom components in search of a competitive edge.
The crew of the AC75s will consist of five sailors, with trim functions of the boat powered by battery. In an exciting move to provide novel perspectives to audiences, the teams will carry one Guest Racer onboard their AC75 during races. VIPs, sponsors, media, influencers and dignitaries will get to experience first-hand and report exactly what it is like to race onboard the most technological boats in the world, going head-to-head in the heat of match racing.
In Barcelona, INEOS Britannia clocked a record-breaking 55.6 knots (102.97 km/h) during Race 8 of the Louis Vuitton Cup Final. The question now is: how much faster can they go?
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DESIGN, ENGINEERING, AND BOAT BUILDING
INTERDISCIPLINARY & INNOVATIONAmerica’s Cup teams are built on a foundation of expertise, with core groups of up to 120 members and, in some cases, exceeding 200 when extended research and development teams are included. These teams bring together a variety of specialised skills to achieve peak performance.
Principal naval architects work alongside experts in mechatronics, hydraulics, aerodynamics, software engineering, and data analysis to push the boundaries of yacht design. The yachts are constructed entirely from carbon fibre, requiring each team to maintain their own dedicated composite boat-building specialists as well as sailmakers to craft and manage the advanced sails or wings.
Together, these professionals form a highly technical and innovative workforce driving the competition to new heights.
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SHORE CREW, ON-WATER & OPERATIONS
SUPPORT AND COMMUNICATIONSBehind every America’s Cup team is a dedicated shore crew and rigging team responsible for launching, (de-)rigging, system checks, cleaning, and securely storing the boat, ensuring it’s race-ready each day. An on-water support team supports the sailors outside racing and provides additional data and surveillance for in-house performance analysis.
Each team also relies on a diverse group of specialists to manage operations and logistics. Meteorologists deliver critical weather forecasts, medical staff and coaches support the athletes. Media and public relations teams handle global visibility, hospitality teams ensure memorable experiences for guests and fans, and logistics and administrative professionals work together to keep the campaign running smoothly, ensuring every detail is covered for peak performance.
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AC40: YOUTH, WOMEN, AND TRAINING
2023 ‘BOAT OF THE YEAR’The AC40 class represents a bold leap forward in expanding the future of sailing. These compact, cutting-edge boats headlined the Preliminary Regattas of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup, as well as the inaugural Women’s America’s Cup and the Youth America’s Cup. Delivering exhilarating high-speed performances, the AC40s showcased unmatched versatility, agility, and precision, adding a dynamic new dimension to the competition that thrilled sailors, experts, and spectators alike.
For racing, the AC40s are strictly one-design yachts, built to identical specifications under tight rules to ensure fairness, so that victory comes down to skill, teamwork, and athletic performance rather than equipment.
Each AC40 is steered by two helms—one on port and one on starboard—and supported by two Flight Controllers. The AC40s also rely on advanced battery-powered systems, eliminating the need for a power crew. A lithium battery pack drives the hydraulic systems and powers the PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) unit, which manages all sail, mast, and board controls. With power reserves designed to last up to 8 hours, these boats demonstrate cutting-edge technology to redefine competitive sailing.
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HYDROGEN BOATS
FUELLING THE FUTUREThe America’s Cup Chase Boats are powered by hydrogen, with Emirates Team New Zealand leading the way in this groundbreaking innovation.
The vessel, named ’Chase Zero’, runs on two 80kW Toyota hydrogen fuel cells—one in each hull—which supply most of the boat's energy needs. The hydrogen (H2) molecules are processed through a catalyst to fuel the engines, leaving behind H+ ions. These ions then bond with oxygen from the surrounding air, producing nothing but pure water (H2O) as the sole emission.
An additional battery provides supplementary power during fast changes and high demands, such as when the boat reaches speeds exceeding 50 knots. When excess power is available again, the hydrogen fuel cells recharge the batteries, ensuring efficient energy management.