AC50

AC50

3 Seasons

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.

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AC50
  • ETNZ - Ready to race

    Episode 1

    It's nearly time to race... The first race of the Louis Vuitton America's Cup qualifiers is scheduled for tomorrow. Emirates Team New Zealand Skipper Glenn Ashby: "I am 100% confident we have the right men for the job."

    Video Producer: Emirates Team New Zealand

  • 35th America's Cup - 25th May - Postponement & Practise

    Episode 2

    Postponed Opening of the 35th America's Cup was announced due to expected high winds so the team got some more time on the water - some with dramatic results. © America's Cup TV

    Video Producer: VR Sport Media

  • 35th America's Cup - 27th May - Qualifying Round Robin 1

    Episode 3

    After all the training and talk, the 35th America's Cup has begun. Six races with all of the teams going into battle with the final duel starting in spectacular fashion with Land Rover BAR colliding with SoftBank Team Japan. © America's Cup TV

    Video Producer: VR Sport Media

  • 35th America's Cup - 29th May - Qualifying Round Robin 1

    Episode 4

    Third Day of the Qualifying Round of the 35th America's Cup. Superb day of racing with shocks, high speed flybys and umpire decisions... Interview with seven times AC legend, Paul Cayard, with his thoughts so far. © America's Cup TV

    Video Producer: VR Sport Media

  • 35th America's Cup - 28th May - Qualifying Round Robin 1

    Episode 5

    Day Two with six back to back races - Oracle Team USA showing their dominance in difficult conditions but they are beatable. Many of the Challengers are starting to show cracks and need to learn from their mistakes. © America's Cup TV

    Video Producer: VR Sport Media

  • 35th America's Cup - 1st June - Qualifying Round Robin 2

    Episode 6

    Winds are light and everyone at the 2nd Round Robin Qualifiers are tweaking their setup to ensure that they rise like a eagle out of the water instead of plunging like a stone. Some do and some don't with some even retiring. Everyone is under pressure to secure a place in the Semis. © America's C...

  • 35th America's Cup - 2nd June - Qualifying Round Robin 2

    Episode 7

    Sit back and prepare for take off! It was the day at the 35th America's Cup that saw the first 100% flight time from start to finish. One boat knocked out and many teams begining to flex their muscles in preparation for the Semis. © America's Cup TV

    Video Producer: VR Sport Media

  • 35th America's Cup - 3rd June - Qualifying Round Robin 2

    Episode 8

    Final day of the Round Robin Qualifiers with all of the five Challengers. Groupama can look forward to some R&R on the beach and ORACLE have two weeks off after winning the Qualifiers overall getting the valuable point. But there is no rest for the remaining teams - as expected Emirates picks Lan...

  • SoftBank Team Japan - Family Day

    Episode 9

    As the team spends a huge amount training and on the water, family time is very precious to all of the athletes. SoftBank Team Japan strive for that 'Work Life Balance' thing everyone talks about but never gets close to achieving! Starring Winston MacFarlane (Grinder), Tyson Lamond (Shore Team Ma...

  • 35th America's Cup - 5th June - Challengers Playoffs - Semi Finals

    Episode 10

    First Day of the Clash of the Challengers - it's the Semi's and every point is gold dust. Land Rover BAR falls to earth flying too close to the sun loosing one of their wings, gifting Emirates two easy points and Japan vs Sweden looks like it will go to the wire after a very even damage inflicted...

  • 35th America's Cup - 6th June - Challengers Playoffs - Semi Finals

    Episode 11

    "THE MOST EXHILARATING DAY OF SAILING I HAVE EVER BEEN INVOLVED IN!" Sir Ben Ainslie after the second day of the Clash of the Defenders. Big winds, high speeds and a pitch pole by Emirates - thankfully no-one was seriously injured. Right on the limit and possibly beyond...© America's Cup TV

    V...

  • 35th America's Cup - 8th June - Challenger Playoffs - Semi Finals

    Episode 12

    It was a day of highs and lows for all of the America's Cup Challengers in the Semi Finals. The Kiwis with a controlling position over the Brits and Swedish needing to get their race face if they were to get even with the Japanese. © America's Cup TV

    Video Producer: VR Sport Media

  • 35th America's Cup - 9th June - Challenger Playoffs - Semi Finals

    Episode 13

    The last of the Challenger Semi Finals at the 35th America's Cup in Bermuda. Artemis Racing, helmed by Nathan Outteridge, is on a high and can they finish off Dean Barker's SoftBank Team Japan to take on Emirates New Zealand... © America's Cup TV

    Video Producer: VR Sport Media

  • 35th America's Cup - 10th June - Challenger Playoffs Final

    Episode 14

    So the last two Challengers standing - Emirates Team New Zealand vs Artemis Racing. The Kiwis dominated throughout the early stages but the Swedes must have been eating lots of meatballs as they are looking like the team on form coming into the final stage to take on the Defender. © America's Cup...

  • 35th America's Cup - 11th June - Challenger Playoffs Final

    Episode 15

    Super Sunday at the 35th America's Cup with the newest and brightest talent on the globe battling it out. Nip and tuck throughout the three races and never think it's is over until you cross the line. Artemis Racing have a mountain to climb but never count Outteridge out of the game. © America's ...

  • SoftBank Team Japan - Arigato Bermuda

    Episode 16

    What an amazing team. What an amazing ride. Thankful for the past two years and looking forward to continuing to build Japan's America's Cup legacy. The team at VRsport.tv would also like to thank STJ for their support allowing us to follow and bring our viewers all their experiences over the las...

  • 35th America's Cup - 12th June - Challenger Playoffs Final

    Episode 17

    Emirates Team New Zealand win the Challenger Playoffs Final after a decisive win against Artemis Racing. The first race was abandoned due to light winds but the Kiwis looked a more superior team in the light winds shifty conditions. The Swedes were the rightful runner up and honourable at the end...

  • ETNZ - Wing 2 flies again

    Episode 18

    Just one week ago, the Emirates Team New Zealand wing sail was in tatters. It is now back out, as good as new, sailing around the Great Sound in preparation for the 35th America's Cup Match against the Defender, Oracle Team USA in just two days. Well done to the ETNZ pit crew'.

    Video Producer...

  • 35th America's Cup - 17th June - The Match

    Episode 19

    So it has begun - the Challenger "Pistol Pete" vs the Defender "The Pitbull". Two races were sailed and two costly small mistakes gave the Kiwis the lead and quietened USA's growl. Burling and Ashby look in sync as always on Emirates Team New Zealand and Tom Slingsby seems exasperated after calli...

  • 35th America's Cup - 18th June - The Match

    Episode 20

    Day Two of the 35th America's Cup Match. The Pitbull's bark is worse than his bite - the Kiwi's speed and pointing ability in the light winds is light year's ahead of the USA. Minor mistakes from Oracle Team USA compiled with near perfect team maneuverers on Emirates means a thrashing. Both races...

  • 35th America's Cup - 24th June - The Match

    Episode 21

    Day Three of the 35th America's Cup Match. It looks like the five days hard work by Oracle Team USA may have paid off - if only they stopped making mistakes they would have been up there in both races. Burling took Race 5 and Spithill Race 6 - the Kiwi's spirits are high enough to poke the injure...

  • 35th America's Cup - 25th June - The Match

    Episode 22

    News Release - Day Four of the 35th America's Cup Match. "One mistake and just one race." USA keep making just one mistake and it's all over every time they get on the race course as the Kiwis are operating at 100% flight time. It's hard watching Jimmy being interviewed and keep repeating the sam...

  • 35th America's Cup - 26th June - The Match

    Episode 23

    IT'S OFFICIAL - EMIRATES TEAM NEW ZEALAND WIN THE 35TH AMERICA'S CUP. They put Oracle Team USA out of their misery with a single victory to take the "Auld Mug" from them. The new Defender has immediately accepted the challenge from Circolo della Vela Sicilia, who will be the Challenger of Record ...

  • ETNZ - America's Cup Parade Auckland

    Episode 24

    It's fair to say the America's Cup welcome home parade in Auckland was a pretty special day for everyone at Emirates Team New Zealand.

    Video Producer: Emirates Team New Zealand