America's Cup AC45 arrives in Auckland for launch - First Pictures

by Chris Cameron on 13 Jan 2011
Top international photographer, Chris Cameron, was on hand to capture the arrival of the prototype AC45 in Auckland's Viaduct Harbour. The AC45 is the forerunner to the AC72 which will be used in the 34th America's Cup. The 45ft long yacht will feature a wingsail, the same as the larger 72ft yacht to be used in the September 2013 Match in San Francisco.

The AC45 has been under construction at the Core Composites facility in Warkworth, 40 minutes north of Auckland. The prototype will be assembled in the old Team New Zealand building at the Viaduct harbour, ahead of the provisional launch date of 17th January 2011.

Each team will be required to own at least one of the AC45 yachts which will be used for competition in the new America's Cup World Series of 13 regattas which will precede the 34th America's Cup.

For more images from Chris Cameron http://www.chriscameron.co.nz!click_here

More pictures of the AC45 can be seen by http://www.americascupmedia.com/index.php?lang=en&fn=folio&FolioID=81&co=1!clicking_here

To see the wingsail frame having the film applied to it http://www.americascupmedia.com/AC45--filming-and-painting,78,1,en,f.html!click_here