America's Cup- Take a walk around Emirates Team NZ's new AC72 - Video

by Sail-World on 19 Jul 2012
Emirates Team New Zealand have released a video of their new AC72 which was test rigged and revealed to the world for the first time on Wednesday July 18, 2012

The video is a revealing walk around the catamaran which is due for launch on Saturday July 21, 2012 in Auckland's Viaduct Harbour.

The size of the monster catamaran is apparent in the video, and the hull shapes and supporting structure are clearly revealed.

She is obviously much larger than the one design AC45's which have been the nearest pointer to the new class, for which speeds of 40knots are expected to be routine.

The key points of interest are the fact that there are four grinder positions, plus a steering wheel pedestal in each hull. The grinder pedestals sit in an angled deck cut into the hull while drains through two very large grills in each hull.

A Y-shaped structure is used to support the gennakers - with the bowsprit coming back to the mast and then splits to run each side out to the inside corner of each hull intersecting at the point of the after main beam. A very substantial strut below the wingsail step on the main beam distributes the rig load into the boat.

The plan for the public launch has also been released - the ceremony in which the first 1500 visitors to register will all get a free t-shirt will start at 5.30pm