Cayard to launch yacht live - in cyberspace

By Suzanne McFadden

Paul Cayard will launch his new America's Cup boat this weekend for all the world to see - if you are on the Internet.

USA49, AmericaOne's first new cup boat built for Auckland, will be christened before a live audience on a Web site.

"Call it the democratisation of the America's Cup," Cayard said.

"The broadcasting of AmericaOne's christening is a small step toward broadening the appeal of sailing's Holy Grail to a worldwide audience."

Call in to www.americaone.org and you will be given a virtual tour of the compound in San Pedro, California, before the actual visitors arrive on Sunday July 18 (NZ time).

AmericaOne proudly boast that it is the first-ever online christening of an America's Cup yacht.

Once USA49 is in the water, she will be tested against OneAustralia, the 1995 boat Cayard bought from John Bertrand, for the next six weeks off San Pedro, just outside Los Angeles.

Now that the first boat is complete, AmericaOne have started building their second new yacht in Costa Mesa.

Cayard has opted to build two different boats for different stages of the America's Cup regatta in Auckland's changeable weather patterns.

Said chief designer Bruce Nelson: "The core design of USA49 was locked in last December. So boat two's design is significantly newer and more refined for the conditions off Auckland."

Cayard said it was imperative that AmericaOne build two boats.

"As long as I've competed in this event, no team has ever won without this type of competitive programme."