What's in a number?

GBR Challenge are issued their first IACC sail number

America's Cup Class Technical Director Ken McAlpine is reported to have just issued the IACC sail number GBR-70 to GBR Challenge.

Apparently the Brits did not want 69. However, knowledgeable sources say the French like it - something to do with their old 12-Meter being called French Kiss!

This is the first British America's Cup IACC boat, Britain has not competed since the IACC boats replaced the 12-Metre class in the 1992 challenge series. The first GBR Challenge boat is being built in Cowes and is due to be ready for when the team return from New Zealand in April.

Five other IACC boats are believed to be in build; FRA-69 for the French at Vannes, GER-68 for Germany's Illbruck Challenge and three for American syndicates - two boats for OneWorld Challenge, USA-65 and 67, and USA-66 for the Stars and Stripes team.