New boats, new teams and new events: the RC 44 Class is in good shape!

[Source: RC44 Class Association] The RC 44 Class announces the arrival of two new teams, the construction of two new boats, a new event in the United States and the renewal of its partnership with SLAM for the next two years.

The RC 44 Class is pleased to announce the arrival of two new top level teams, who will join the Championship Tour before the end of the year.

Synergy, the Russian team for the America’s Cup led by Karol Jablonski – a veteran of the RC 44 Class – plans to join the Tour during the first official Class World Championship: the RC 44 Puerto Calero Islas Canarias Cup (October 11-16). Also confirmed, an American team will join the Tour during the Oracle RC 44 Cup Miami on December 7-12 at the latest.

The RC44 fleet has just arrived in Port America's Cup for the RC44 Valencia Cup. Valencia, 9 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Both teams have already confirmed that they will compete in 2011. Their new boats are currently being built at Pauger boatyard, in Hungary. They will be the RC 44’s no 23 and 24. Pauger is the only licensed RC 44 builder and it has built all the RC 44’s involved in the Championship Tour.

The RC 44 Class recently announced its project to expand to North America. The first regatta on US territory, the Oracle RC 44 Cup Miami, will take place on December 7 – 12 in South Beach Marina; it will be the closing event of the Tour 2010. “I really look forward to competing in Miami”, says RC 44 founder and co-designer Russell Coutts. “First of all because it is a beautiful sailing venue, but also because it is a symbolic step for the RC 44 Class as it will be the first time we race on American territory. Our goal is to develop a parallel circuit in the USA, and to see the European and American fleets meeting during several events, including the yearly World Championship.”

Following the Oracle RC 44 Cup Miami, the first regatta of the Championship Tour 2011 will also take place in the United Sates (west coast) whilst other regattas will be organised on American waters in the coming years.

The RC 44 Class is also pleased to announce that its historical partnership with SLAM has been extended until 2012. SLAM is the RC 44 Class’ official clothing supplier; it provides the Class management, umpires, race officials and guests with technical clothes that are particularly well adapted to their work.

The RC44 fleet has just arrived in Port America's Cup for the RC44 Valencia Cup. Valencia, 9 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing