Could you first explain what the word "modern" means and describe a bit more the two boats you mention here ?

The concept of the first multihulls dates back more than 2000 years and comes to us from the Polynesians. The modern multihulls for pleasure really started their development around the end of the 19th century. The first catamaran of Nathaniel G Herreshoff Amaryllis was built in 1876 but compared to modern criteria it was pretty basic. The beams were rigid, it did not have any daggerboards and only one rudder and the leeward float submerged for much of the time.

But since then Herreshoff set in chain the development of the modern catamarans, with the beam structure and other features progressing. As for the trimaran (the word invented by Victor Tchetchet from maran of cata- and tri for three) it was a vital part of the race for speed at all costs.

 Who were the key innovators and inventors?

J. Taglang : "If Herreshoff had lived today then he would surely belong to one of the design teams here. He was a visionary and a genius, and I am not afraid to use the word. He did not draw his boats, he made half hulls and then charged his foremen with building them. He was already conceiving in 3-D. Another example of his genius, in 1891 he invented the modern centerboard where the weight of the crew is used as ballast, refining the keel and ballast. He was also obsessed with light displacement and so did not arrive at the catamaran by chance. Tchechet has more profile as an artist (he drew Pin Up for magazines). But he was also an inventor and innovator and he designed Egg Nog, the first modern which was launched in 1945. The concept fascinated other designers but he only made two. He was also founder of the Multihull Boat Racing Association in 1946.

It seems difficult to hold off and wait for a race on this 33rd edition?

J. Taglang : "But you heard the same conversations in 1903 when people had to wait 30 days until the match took place. Everyone wondered then if it was true the boats would sail."

Jacques Taglang is interested in sailing history without it being his sole focus. He has been interested in the America' s Cup since 1970, when France launched their challenge and since then has written several books on the Cup. He has studied the works of Nathaniel.G Herreshoff and especially the 15 schooners that the American naval architect drew and built. He has just published a book:  Mariette and the Herreshoff Schooners