ITA77 on the water

Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team go V5 sailing too

This week saw the launch of ITA 77 in Portoferraio.  ITA 77 has been modified to meet the requirements of the AC Version 5 rule and it is currently being tested against ITA 66.  Then, at the end of May, the team and boats will be transferred to Valencia, where the Louis Vuitton Acts 4&5 will commence on the 16th of June.

The modifications to upgrade Mascalzone Latino ITA 77 (previously USA 77) were drawn by the design group of Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team.  Led by Harry Dunning, the group of researchers and developers is comprised of expert designers, scientists and engineers.  Amongst them there is vast experience with previous America’s Cup campaigns.

Harry Dunning has an impressive CV.  He worked for 7 years in the design office of Bruce Farr and Associates, where he participated in the design of Tag Heuer (1995) and of Young America (2000).  This experience led him to a leadership role within Reichel Pugh Design Group, where he spent 4 years as head designer.  At R/P he was responsible for the Stars & Stripes boats USA 66 and USA 77 (now Mascalzone Latino ITA 66 and ITA 77), which were sailed during the 2003 campaign.

Other members of the design group include: Rick Harris, Chris Mairs, Joe Laiosa, Mark McCafferty, Fabrizio Marabini, and Silvio Arrivabene.  Will Brooks and Duncan MacLane will soon join them.

Next month our program will be tested in Valencia when it is possible to start evaluating the technical weight and spectacular innovations portended by the class in the 32nd edition of the America’s Cup.

The new version of the rule –called “version 5” or “V5”- is a preview of the changed “box rule” parameters, which in this America’s Cup have been contracted.  The rule should yield boats that are more exciting to watch.  They will have deeper keels, 1000 kilograms less displacement, deeper fins, longer spinnaker poles, bigger sails, lighter masts AND inflatable battens!