America's Cup defender Oracle Team USA launches final AC72

by John Mangino on 27 Apr 2013 After covering the last America's Cup World Series, iCupusa.com flew via Zurich, London, Newark, Charlotte, and finally San Francisco to attend the launch of USA 17 the final version.

This boat will be used to defend the America's Cup in September. On hand were Russel Coutts, James Spithill and most of the rest of the build team. We flew over 10,000 miles and 27 hours to get there arriving just 20 minutes before the launch.

Grant Simmer addressed the well attended invitation USA 17 was towed to the bay opening siding on caution the team postponed her first sail. Winds had picked up to 20 knts plus.

Sir Ben Ainslie will pilot boat one in a sparing effort to sharpen up James during the next coming months. The first we will see all the AC72s together will be July 4 in a fleet race during opening Ceremonies of the Summer of racing and the Louis Vuitton Cup.