BMW Oracle Racing and Golden Gate Yacht Club, winner of the 33rd America’s Cup last February, have asked US SAILING and the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Seahorse Rating affiliate to write the rules.

“We’ve always said that the new design will be for the America’s Cup community. The result with be a ‘non-partisan yacht’ rather than a ‘defender’s yacht’,” said Ian Burns, Design Coordinator for BMW Oracle Racing. “A great deal of input was sought from the America’s Cup community and the concept briefs given to the rule writers reflect that feedback.” In a twin-track process, US SAILING will author a multihull rule and the RORC’s Seahorse Rating a canting-keel monohull rule.

“It would be premature to rule either a monohull or multihull in and the other out at this stage,” commented Russell Coutts, CEO of BMW Oracle Racing. “Which type of boat is best for racing and media impact is one of many evaluations we will be testing over the coming months.”

The choice between monohull and multihull will be made after the conclusion of these trials, the first round of which is scheduled for Valencia in late July. “Either option will provide high performance, exciting viewing and challenges to design, build and sailing teams,” commented Burns.

For more, visit www.americascup.com