From flying in the sky to flying out of the water: Antonov completes America’s Cup yacht transportation
Antonov Airlines has completed the transportation of three high tech racing yachts in time for the 2021 America’s Cup race.
The 22.8 metre-long, 4.9 metre-wide AC75 class yachts were moved from Italy, the UK, and the USA, to Auckland, New Zealand on board Antonov’s seven AN-124-100 Ruslans.
The total weight of each consignment, including the yachts and support equipment, came to 20 metric tonnes.
“Our engineers worked closely with the teams that organised the air shipment of these unique yachts to develop a safe loading and stowage system for the long journeys to New Zealand,” said Antonov Airlines’ commercial director Andriy Blagovisniy.
“The AN-124 Ruslan, which has a volume of cargo cabin up to 700 cubic metres, was the ideal aircraft for the job.”
The AC75 yachts can reach speeds of up to 50 knots (92.6kph) and have been designed to ‘fly’ by rising out of the water on hydrofoils. The 36th America’s Cup takes place in Auckland in March.