Fremantle still in race for ‘auld mug’

TEAMS vying for the America’s Cup have used Fremantle-based Formation Design Systems’ software technology to design their yachts.

The company’s Maxsurf suite of design software was used by the New Zealand team in its successful 1995 America’s Cup challenge and they have continued using it in preparation for this year’s event.

Two boats have now qualified for the final of the Louis Vuitton Cup, the event which selects a single challenger for the America’s Cup.

The Italian Prada syndicate has eliminated all other challengers and will compete for the ‘auld mug’ against Team New Zealand.

Both final challengers, America One and the Italian Prada syndicate, used Maxsurf in the design process of their yachts.

America One principal designer Bruce Nelson said the software was a superb program for quickly producing yacht hulls, decks and appendages with high precision and control.

FDS’ history of success in America’s Cup campaigns began with the Kookaburra and Stars & Stripes syndicates in 1987.