The AC50 (defined in the America's Cup rules as AC Class yacht, or ACC) was a wingsail catamaran development rule that governed the construction of the yachts used in the 2017 Louis Vuitton Cup and the 2017 America's Cup.
Like the larger AC72s used in the 2013 America's Cup, AC50s used L-shaped daggerboard stabilizers as well as T-shaped rudder elevators that were able to generate enough lift to allow the boats to exit displacement mode in winds in excess of 7kt. Prototype versions of crossbeams, wingsails, appendages, as well as steering and trimming systems had been tested by all syndicates on AC45 platforms as surrogate yachts before building their AC50. The class allowed hydraulic control of the wingsails and appendages. Motors and computer automation was banned in the class. Each challenger team was only allowed to build one AC50 for competition and only six boats were built.
The class achieved a maximum peak speed of 47.2 knots over the water, recorded by ACRM telemetry aboard Magic Blue. The class winner sailed by Team New Zealand featured a distinct polyhedral daggerboard stabilizer.
Sport science and technology is helping our athletes to optimise their physical output. The race boats in the 35th America's Cup will be powered by humans. KX Life are ensuring maximum output from our sailors.
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'The Reveal'! Land Rover BAR launch 'R1' - race boat for the 35th America's Cup and opened the 11th Hour Racing Exploration Zone at their team base in Bermuda.
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The story of the boat 'New Zealand' which Emirates Team New Zealand will take to Bermuda to win the America's Cup back in June this year.
Video Producer: Emirates Team New Zealand
Intense testing and training on bikes has been going on behind closed doors at Emirates Team New Zealand for a while now. Here is a look at the brutal fitness test our 'cyclors' have been subjecting themselves to.
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From the Isle of Arran to Bermuda. Neil Hunter has joined the Land Rover BAR senior team following his hard work and dedication in the Land Rover BAR Academy.
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Ed Powys - full time America's Cup sailor, part time diver. We give him a 10/10 for his dismount!!
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From Portsmouth inception to her first flight in Bermuda on 11th February. Watch their story behind R1’s design, build, on the water testing and meticulous construction.
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#LifeGoal: When it's Friday and you realize you've spent almost every day this week on the water in your new America's Cup Class race boat...
Credit: SoftBank Team Japan
British America's Cup Challenger, Land Rover BAR have got that #FridayFeeling in Bermuda.
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Great to have fitness expert Ross Edgley visit the Bermuda gym. Find out how he got on in his head to head with Land Rover BAR's sailor Neil Hunter - 12 minutes of hell for one athlete...
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What secrets lie underwater on an America's Cup Class race yacht? Take a look as SoftBank Team Japan dive into the art of foils...
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Emirates Team New Zealand touched down and took off in their America's Cup race boat in Bermuda for the first time today. Day one on the Great Sound complete.
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Bike on a boat? Here's the story behind the innovation. We're still pushing for the ultimate America's Cup performance...
Video Producer: Emirates Team New Zealand
THREE WEEKS until the start of the America's Cup Qualifiers! Kazuhiko Sofuku: "We're coming into the best part of the campaign and really happy where we are right now."
Video Producer: SoftBank Team Japan
Take your caffeine pills. 24 hour work days have started at SoftBank Team Japan as they're working round the clock to optimize their race package for the America's Cup...
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TWO WEEKS until the America's Cup Qualifiers and it's been a busy week for SoftBank Team Japan in Bermuda! Final practice races are days away...we can't wait to line up again...
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The second practice race day today in Bermuda, ended in a heavy pre start collision when Land Rover BAR collided with Emirates Team New Zealand after they had been comprehensively shut out in last stages of the pre start sequence.
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9 days to go! With no wind forecast, that’s it for this week’s practice racing. The development of R1 continues, the team are giving it everything right to the very end.
Video Producer: Land Rover BAR
ONE WEEK until the start of the America's Cup Qualifiers! Dean Barker: "With a week to go, the enthusiasm and drive the guys have to make the boat go faster is very very cool to see."
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Emirates Team New Zealand were back out on the water after some long days in the shed… Only 5 days until the start of America's Cup racing.
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After 3 days of upgrades and going through America's Cup Measurement Committee, R1 is back out on Bermuda's Great Sound. We caught up with Engineering Manager, Richard Hopkirk, watch to find out more.
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The America's Cup is a race against time both on and off the water. Find out how, why and when we decide R1's configuration for each race day!
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Only ONE DAY until the start of the America's Cup Qualifiers! An amazing journey for SoftBank Team Japan to get here in such short time...let the racing begin.
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The race is on to win Britain's oldest international sporting trophy. Land Rover BAR quest to bring the Cup home to where it all began 166 years ago.
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