36th America's Cup: Allow me: T5 - the test yacht of the British Cup hunters

The small harbour town of Cowes on the Isle of Wight is considered the epitome of yachting in the sailing world. The America's Cup was first sailed here in 1851. Right at the start, the Americans snatched the trophy, which they later named the America's Cup, from the disgraced British fleet in front of the Queen. The hosts themselves have never been able to win the most important trophy in the international sailing world and have now formed up for the second time in a row under the leadership of sailing superstar Sir Ben Ainslie in the hunt for the silver jug. With Ineos founder Jim Ratcliffe as a partner, a budget of 126 million euros and a strengthened team, the historic coup should finally succeed.

Before the four current Cup teams met early Friday afternoon in Cowes' West Harbour for the eagerly awaited Cup overture with a presentation and press conference, the Brits released the first official pictures of their test yacht T5, which an amateur filmmaker had already caught sailing on the Solent at the end of July ( YACHT online reported). The mini monohull spoiler is around 40 per cent of the size of the eventual original of the new AC75 Cup class. Grant Simmer, multiple America's Cup winner with Alinghi, Oracle Team USA and now CEO of Ainslie's Ineos Team UK, said: "We know that the other teams are not far behind us. We have to work harder than ever. This is a good start and a credit to the whole team."

The first image film for the Ineos UK team was produced this summer

The original boats of the Cup syndicates may not be used before 31 March 2019. The British test boat has been undergoing trials since the end of June. "T5 is an important key in the learning process as part of the new concept," explained four-time Olympic champion and skipper Sir Ben Ainslie. The 28-foot monohull was once a Quant 28, which the British design team has significantly modified and rebuilt. Fundamental parameters of the AC75 class are reflected in this way. The boat has been given two foil arms, T-foils and control systems. The rudder, deck layout, equipment and rigging have been changed. The main purpose of T5 is to verify computer models and simulations. The results obtained will be incorporated into the design of the British Cup yacht.

This is how you can imagine the Cup boats competing for the silver jug in 2021