Image: Course diagram for Cagliari, Italy

When the America’s Cup World Series was initiated in advance of the 2013 America’s Cup, it provided early exposure for the teams and a fresh look at how the 34th Match was now in catamarans. It was a smart move to heighten the hype except the format revealed an unfortunate truth.

While the opening stage was in fleet racing, the finals were in match racing, and the match racing was not as riveting to watch. For a platform intended to promote the America’s Cup Match, the wheels were wobbly.

The America’s Cup World Series 2.0 was launched for the 2017 America’s Cup, with the format now to have only fleet racing. Lots of fast boats on a tight course guaranteed that positions, somewhere in the race, would be close enough to maintain interest. While teams got training, and sponsors got fulfillment, this was about producing a better show.

And now with the build-up underway for the 2021 America’s Cup, the America’s Cup World Series returns again for a 3-event series in Italy, England, and New Zealand. While the 2020 edition will deliver an early look at the AC75s to face off for the 36th Match, the plan is for only match racing....

Click here to read the comlete article by Craig Leweck on Scuttlebutt