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| Naples is getting ready... photo by Gilles Martin-Raget for AmericasCup.com. |
The format for the first 2012 event of the America’s Cup World Series was released today for the regatta scheduled to takes place in Naples, Italy, beginning on April 7. Some tweaks have been made since the 2011 World Series races in Portugal, the UK, and in San Diego in the United States. This announcement comes just a few days after news broke that some of the 2013 America's Cup Finals would be broadcast live on NBC.
News from Naples
The program announced for the next America's Cup World Series in Naples is an exciting mix of race formats, designed to test the sailors across their full skill range. Match racing, fleet racing and speed trials against the clock will push the best sailors in the world as they match wits against each other in the challenging AC45 wing-sailed catamaran.
On the changes since last year, Regatta Director Iain Murray stated, “I think we have a strong program now; each race in the Championship events is meaningful for the title races, but every team will now be racing each day, which is also important.”
The opening weekend is an opportunity for the teams to hone their skills ahead of the Championship racing later in the week. The first Saturday, April 7, begins with a full afternoon of match racing. Then, on the first Sunday, the teams sail three, 15-minute fleet races.
After two days off, the Championship part of the regatta begins on Wednesday April 11, with seeding races for Saturday’s Match Racing Championship. Between Wednesday and Saturday, the teams will compete in 11 fleet races to determine the top four finishers. The 'final four' will advance to the Match Racing semi finals and finals (first to win two points).
The final day (Sunday April 15) opens with the AC500 Speed Trial, where each team takes two timed runs down a 500-meter race track. The crew recording the best time is crowned the winner. Then, it’s immediately on to the winner-takes-all Fleet Race Championship, a single 40-minute fleet race to determine the champion.
All of the Championship racing, from Wednesday April 11 through Sunday April 15 will be broadcast live on www.youtube.com/americascup.
Luna Rossa Challenge will be racing in the AC World Series for the first time, and they’ll make their debut in front of a home crowd. The Italian team may be joining late, but will campaign two AC45s in the remaining World Series events, as they prepare for the America’s Cup in 2013.
Stay tuned to the Daily Boater for more updates from the world of sailing, including the 34th America's Cup.
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