Oracle Team USA has started the countdown to launching its first AC72 wingsailed catamaran this week.
Friday 31 August is the first scheduled sailing day for the boat that will play a central role in the San Francisco team’s bid to win the America’s Cup again next year.
Today, the giant 12 story high wing was lifted at Pier 80 in a successful test of the new ground handling systems.
‘This was one tick in a very long check-list of essential steps before the boat can go into the water,’ said Mark Turner, shore manager.
Upgrading from the identical one-design AC45s used during last week’s America’s Cup World Series event in San Francisco is going to be no small order  … More