World-renowned for its rich seafaring history, Plymouth has seen countless ships set sail on great voyages of discovery and to settle new worlds. It was from this city on the south west coast of England that the Pilgrim Fathers left to establish a new colony in North America in 1620.

Located at the centre of Devon and Cornwall, the UK's most popular tourist destination outside of London, the city’s spectacular waterfront location makes it one of the major sailing centres and the perfect venue for showcasing world-class maritime and sporting events. Home to the largest number of maritime and marine businesses in the region, Plymouth also offers outstanding sight-seeing, shopping and cultural opportunities.

“Similar to San Francisco, Plymouth Sound is a natural stadium that will bring the racing to the spectators and really showcase the AC45s in a spectacular way,” said Richard Worth, Chairman, America’s Cup Event Authority. “We’re excited to have a Northern European venue that has a deep understanding of the sport of sailing, and has long supported its growth and promotion.”

Televised to expose millions more fans to the sport of high-performance sailing, the AC World Series is a regular circuit of regattas that will bring America’s Cup-level racing and experience to top international venues. At the end of each AC World Series season, a champion will be crowned. These events provide the fans the only opportunity to see all of the America’s Cup competitors racing together.

The 2011-2012 AC World Series will be sailed in the AC45, the forerunner to the next generation of America’s Cup boats. Focused on creating more on-the-water excitement for both the teams and the fans, the AC45 wing-sailed catamaran was designed for both speed and close racing. While capable of closing speeds of up to 30 knots, the AC45 remains nimble enough to handle the tight, tactical race courses planned by America’s Cup Race Management (ACRM). « less