Oracle's new yacht for 2009 America's Cup launched

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2008

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Oracle Racing's new 90-foot multihull yacht, which will lead the US team's bid for next year's America's Cup in Spain, was launched at Anacortes in Washington State on Tuesday.

The trimaran, skippered by Frenchman Franck Cammas, had initially set to begin its sea trials in mid-September but it was fitted out and underwent structural tests ahead of schedule.

"Its very exciting to navigate this boat which is unique in its genre, an extreme boat, which is made for coastal regattas with a crew of 15 to 20," he told AFP by telephone.

"It is a new boat for everyone, which has very lively reactions, with which we have started to sail in a very prudent way, and which can be configured for winds of five to 30 knots," he added.

The 90-foot...