America's Cup: AC75 class boats an eye-opener for challenging syndicates

The 2021 America's Cup will be raced on the speedy AC75 class. Image / Supplied

The challenging America's Cup syndicates have had their eyes opened to just how big the AC75 class will be.

On a recent trip to New Zealand, members of the challenging syndicates were given a look at the foil cant system in action.

The system will be used by all teams to control the four-metre composite foil arms and wings to provide stability, lift and speed while racing.

Ineos Team UK's Jonathan Nicols said the demonstration put the size of the vessels into perspective.

"It's the first real example of a full scale set up. The boats are going to be pretty big; it's going to be cool," he said.

"It's all about going big and going fast so I think it's a good thing."

The teams will race 75-foot foiling monohulls which were expected to reach speeds as high as 40 or 50 knots, with the event scheduled in Auckland in 2021.

America's Cup Events' Peter Thomas said the size and speed of the yachts was going to be incredible, but for that to happen they needed to ensure all systems worked as planned.

"Part of putting the system together is it's got to function and it's got to be reliable," he said. "You can imagine with these big yachts racing around at these high speeds, when they go for a manoeuvre, the system has to work.

"There are over 400 components, and we have to make sure every time they hit the button it drops and if they want to raise it, it raises."

Luna Rossa Challenge's David Moyon praised the work on designing the system and said making it a one design was a smart move.

"It's pretty impressive to see a four-metre arm and one ton at the end going up and down that fast," Moyon said.

"I'm glad we did a one design system for that. It's going to make the boats way safer… I think it's a good call for everyone."

Meanwhile, American Magic skipper Terry Hutchinson revealed to yachtracing.life his first experience with the US test boat was far from perfect.

"The first day that I was on the boat when we foiled it was quite windy and some of the systems weren't operating perfectly. And so the boat was a bit loose and we were a bit out of control – and that was exactly how it felt. It was almost like getting into a car with my 16-year-old son driving for the first time. Just wondering what could possibly go wrong," Hutchinson said.

While teams have been able to get out on the water in a scaled-down version of the vessel, they can launch their first full-scale boats at the end of March.