America's Cup: AC9F undergoes successful sea and foiling trials in Auckland.

Kotare under tow on sea trials © Yachting Developments / Georgia Schofield

The foiling monohull, the AC9F has undergone sea trials and foiling tests in Auckland, now that the Alert levels have dropped in New Zealand and life has almost returned to normal.

Built by Yachting Developments Ltd, the AC9F is the new class that will be sailed in the 2021 Youth America's Cup.

As of early March there were only a handful of entry spaces left available for the 2021 Youth America's Cup after the initial early entry period closed on the 29th of February.

Pre-Lockdown 15 teams from twelve nations had already officially entered into the 2021 Youth America's Cup. Currently RNZYS advise that currently there are 17 entries from 12 nations. Since the Lockdown extra teams have entered from Australia and The Netherlands had entered. It is expected that entries will top out at 20 teams - which is capacity for the event.

Nations with their representative yacht clubs who have entered teams are as follows:

• New Zealand (2)
• Australia (3)
• Switzerland (2)
• Netherlands (2)
• Russia
• Argentina
• Hong Kong
• China
• Denmark
• Germany
• Spain
• USA

It is important to note that entry is still open for this event right up until the 30th September 2020; although subject to any space still available at that point. Due to such high demand early on the RNZYS are encouraging any other clubs who are considering an entry to get this in as soon as possible.

Prior to the COVID-19 lockdown, RNZYS CEO Hayden Porter said he was pleased with the entries received so far, and is keen to see more clubs put their names forward in the coming months.

"Once people also see the AC9F sailing the global interest level will step up a notch again. Being an event with gender equality at the forefront of our thinking has also proven to be popular and something that was important to us from the start. The melting pot of nations coming will also have a big economic impact for New Zealand and Auckland in particular, with many teams planning to base themselves here from the middle of this year to prepare and train for the event."

Entries can be emailed to

Applications for RNZYS Youth America's Cup team to Reuben Corbett, email