America's Cup organizers will begin a two-week test period in Auckland by evaluating new race course configurations, umpiring systems and racing rules.
With the first week focused on race management, the second week will be dedicated to testing next generation television and graphics as well as onboard cameras.
'There's a lot of innovation that's been proposed for the America's Cup World Series events with the race courses, the umpiring systems, the onboard equipment and the television coverage,' said Iain Murray, Regatta Director and CEO of America's Cup Race Management.
'Over the next two weeks, we'll be testing our thinking in these areas, to make sure we're on the right track now, so come the first AC World Series event in Cascais in August, we're ready to put on a great show with spectacular racing.'
Five AC45s are expected to participate in the first week, crewed by America's Cup teams, with six boats anticipated for week two. Murray says collaboration with the teams during the test sessions is crucial.
'There are some veteran, experienced campaigners on these teams who have been very helpful in terms of getting out there, practicing and then coming to us with feedback on what they've learned,' he said. 'We're looking forward to getting more good input from these sessions as well.'
ACRM will conduct its testing sessions from April 26-29, with ACEA running its tests from May 2-6 on the waters off Auckland.
'We want to put the fans right at the heart of the television programming, so this test phase will enable us to bring that vision to life,' said Craig Thompson, CEO, America's Cup Event Authority. 'We are looking forward to the opportunity to give our onboard cameras and graphics systems a thorough test with the athletes and the AC45s as we work towards transforming the way people watch the sport of sailing.'
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