An exciting new game with extraordinary virtual-reality graphics is now available, free, as an app for the iPhone as well as iPad. Gamers and America’s Cup fans, even those with no sailing experience, can test themselves against the best sailors and the fastest yachts in the world.
Sailing game available free as an app for iPhone and iPad Credit: ACEA
The game is now live in the Apple App Store and is available free for downloading to iPhones and iPads. An Android version for phones and tablets will be released in the coming weeks.
Players test their skills by steering a wing-sailed AC45, attempting to set the fastest time across an AC500 Speed Trial course. Optimal steering through the wind on the race course leads to a top placing, while mistakes are punished by loss of time, with big errors resulting in a capsize.
The game was created with developer Many Players of France, and is based on the sophisticated performance prediction program used by the current America’s Cup champions ORACLE Racing (USA).
America’s Cup sailors are already playing. Troy Tindill of Team Korea posted on his Facebook page on Sunday, ‘Trying to get Nathan Outteridge (the team skipper) off the new America’s Cup speed trial app to go and do the real thing!’
The fastest time set so far at an America’s Cup World Series regatta over the AC500 Speed Trial course is 36.17 seconds by ORACLE Racing Bundock, an average speed of 26.87 knots (30mph/49kph).
After downloading the game, virtual skippers choose their favorite team from the America’s Cup World Series competitors – Artemis Racing (Sweden); China Team (China); Emirates Team New Zealand (New Zealand); Energy Team (France); Luna Rossa Challenge (Italy); ORACLE Racing (USA); and Team Korea (Korea) – and then compete for the fastest time posted by the best virtual sailors in the world.
“The new game is awesome,” posted ORACLE Racing CEO Russell Coutts on his Facebook page over the Easter weekend. “It’s a lot of fun, educational, and it should help to introduce the America’s Cup to a new fan base.”
