New sportsboat launched from China Team

America's Cup team sink their teeth into Chinese sportsboat project

The Longtze Premier, a 6.8 metre sportsboat, developed by the China Team America’s Cup sailors and engineers on an original design by New Zealander Steve Thompson, has made its public debut at the Shenzhen International Airport. The boat will remain on display through the month of October in the airport's Terminal A.

The design will make its competitive debut at the China Cup regatta running on October 21-22 at the Longsheer Yacht Club in Shenzen. The China Team will enter two boats with crews made up select sailors from the America’s Cup program including three-time America’s Cup skipper Pierre Mas.

“We have done a lot of work to develop a very modern boat, expertly designed and carefully built,” commented Mas, “that provides an opportunity for beginners to get a taste of the joy of sailing while providing experienced sailors with an opportunity to shine”



The boat has been designed for trailer sailing with a lifting keel, removal wings and a two part carbon mast. The hull is available in four colour options –each with the vibrant graphics. It is also expected that a number of boats will compete against other similar designs in November at the Hong Kong International Sportsboat Championships.

After completing the test program the boat yard will produce five new boats a month.

Length: 6.8m
Beam: 2.5m
Draft 1.8m
Mainsail 20.7m2
Jib 13.4m2
Downwind 93.4m2
Crew 3-5 people (330Kg)
Prices are not yet available.

More information can be found in due course on the Longtze Yachts website: http://www.longtze.org