Preeminent America’s Cup writer, Bob Fisher responds to the news the AC is heading back to monohulls, following three editions in multihulls.

OK, the decision has been reached – the next America’s Cup will be held in monohulled yachts. The announcement was made jointly by the holders, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, and the Challenger of Record, the Circolo della Vela Sicilia, but there were no further details. These were left to speculation and for the past month this has reached a new high.

One thing is certain – this will be a very different monohull to any that have raced for the Cup in the past. Those who had hoped for a return of the J-class, or the 12-Metres, or any of the formulas that were created subsequently, will be disappointed. Patrizio Bertelli, with his Luna Rossa campaign, and the Kiwis intend to agree on an exciting boat that can be raced on a course that can be (relatively) easily viewed by shore-side spectators. Therefore we can only speculate on what will be forthcoming and perhaps we should concentrate on what would be good for sailing in general as well as the Cup.

To that end there must be room for development – all around there are fast monohulls from which much can be learned as to what is good and what is bad (and there is probably more of the latter to avoid). One thing appears certain – the previous Cup defenders will not be in evidence in Auckland, at least that is what Russell Coutts, now back in Auckland, has stated in an e-mail to me: “My understanding is that Oracle/Larry will not be entering.”

It would appear that one Rich American Called Larry Ellison has had enough – the cost of the Cup has proved too high even for him. Which leaves one to wonder just who will show up? Sir Ben indicated, in Bermuda, that Land Rover BAR would continue and it does have the shoreside facilities to handle whatever (within reason) is required. What this team will require is a boost to its already strong technical department – it was shown to be slightly deficient in this area last time – compared with one or two of the other teams.

For many of the other teams, the Nationality Rule that is almost certain to be employed (in line with the Deed of Gift), although unlikely to be 100%, will have major effect – where would SoftBank Team Japan be without its Kiwi contingent? And where too Artemis? Would this see Iain Percy condemned to a role ashore?

But to return to the hardware… the monohull has to be exciting to race (and watch) and at the same time bring with it a return of sails, not solid wings, although a combination of the two is possible – C-class catamarans, as I well remember, proved this 50 years ago. The use of extra, downwind sails is imperative, not simply for increased performance, but for spectator value – seeing the crew of the boat doing something that has immediate effect (rather than simply watching them turning the handles of the grinders, or peddling) is an understood requirement. Foils are a must. They are in use on single-hulled boats from Moths upwards to offshore racing craft, and they must be strong – remember what happened to Hugo Boss when one was damaged.

I have no doubt that in Auckland, Sicily and Portsmouth the design teams have this in hand and elsewhere, wherever challenges are planned, this will be the case. And where will these challenges come from? Oracle is out and that leaves the Japanese team without a research and development source, but there are plenty of suitable sources of technology at home for it to tap. Dean Barker, however, may not be able to find a sailing berth if the nationality rule is as tough as it is promised. Ernesto Bertarelli was carefully monitoring the scene in Bermuda for a comeback for his Alinghi syndicate from YC de Geneve. He, however, is a catamaran enthusiast – sailing one regularly on the lake – and may not wish to challenge in a single hulled craft.

There must be a challenge from neighbouring Australia, even if the country’s number one technical sailor, Glenn Ashby, is otherwise committed. The man who broke the American hold on the Cup, John Bertrand, was seen in Bermuda. I was able to ask him, over a drink in the Royal Bermuda YC, whether or not he was thinking of leading a challenge and a wry smile came over his face as he denied more than a passing interest. His presence at AC35, however, leads one to believe he will be part of one of the Australian challenges – and a second one is highly likely, given the activity in that country.

Maybe there will be several challenges from Europe too – another Italian one is on the cards, and possibly one from France. The presence of Bruno Troublé is needed to return some semblance of the grandeur of earlier days and then the Cup is up and running once more. Thank you Kiwis for winning.