just discovered this on the tv on Saturday - wild AC â "The America's Cup is the oldest active trophy in international sport." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America's_Cup Estimated cost to compete in the AC, $100 Million. This year the racing course is in the San Fransico Bay. Prelude was the Louis Vuitton Cup racing which ended Sunday with the 'Emirates Team New Zealand' winning, and who now go on to 12 ? individual races against the AC defender, 'Oracle Team USA', September 7 - 21 . http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Vuitton_Cup http://emirates-team-new-zealand.americascup.com/ http://oracle-team-usa.americascup.com/ 72 â "The AC72 (America's Cup 72 class) is a wing sail catamaran . . . . . This new and revolutionary design is extremely expensive and has allowed the development of foils that lift the hull out of the water in some conditions leading to extreme boat speeds." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AC72 AC 72s are 86' long, 72.2' at the waterline - where the '72' designation comes from, mast height 131.2' - 13 storey building, beam-width is 45.9', and 11 man crew. During the Saturday racing it was estimated the 'Emirates Team New Zealand AC 72' boat was sailing at well over 50 mph in a 20+ knot wind, 10 knots = 11.5 mph. lots of photos of AC 72 components and NZ crew who look like space fighter pilots and now wear life preservers that look like a cross between a bullet proof vest and Roman centurion's armour, and they now wear crash helmets, radios fitted at back for commands between helmsman and crew: http://www.sailracingmagazine.com/features/jack-griffin-the-ac72-design-battle 4 minute movie will give you a good idea of the NZ AC 72 boat's speed, crew running across the net, the boat foiling, and making turns around marks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wv8eg0H9WQ Pretty good film, and must say the live tv on Saturday and Sunday really was Very good, and the boats Very exciting to watch. Have to admit, I am smit, with AC 72 racing, now where can I helmsman one ? Emirates Team New Zealand AC 72 do an, 'oops !', bow down, and Rob and Chris abandon ship - not voluntarily: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFjxEfg_mEw smaller AC 45 pitchpoles - no wonder they're wearing crash helmets: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjwY6O2zE0E