SoftBank Team Japan and Groupama Team France took their AC Class catamarans out for their first flights on the Great Sound late last week.

Reports from those teams were positive. They had great days to put their 15-metres flyers through initial training runs, not pushing too hard, but getting a feel for the boats they will race in the America’s Cup qualifying matches that start on May 26.

The Team Japan boat named Hikari, or Flash of Light, gave team members a taste of her speed. Team Japan sailors Kazuhiko “Fuku” Sofuku, Chris Draper, and Yuki Kasatani gave their first-hand report of what it is like sailing the final generation boat they are now developing for the money races.

“Our initial feelings are that the name is very appropriate,” Sofuku, the bowman and team general manager, said.

“The Japanese community did a great job in picking this name. Hikari is going to be faster than our previous AC45S boat and maybe she will even go as fast as the speed of light, shine like a flash of lighting, and show our country a ray of hope in winning the 35th America’s Cup.

“The first day on the water was a very special moment for everybody in the team. For our first sail we started off fairly easy due to the weather conditions, so this has allowed us to get familiar with the new yacht without pushing it too hard. I believe that not only the boat, but also our team has got what it takes to win.”

Chris Draper, the tactician and sailing manager, said: “Hikari handles very much like our AC45S system development boat, but there are a few subtle differences.

“Some of the systems are nicer evolutions of what we were using on the old boat, so these have taken a little while to get used to but all in all she is easier to handle.”

What is the difference between the AC45S and the AC Class boat? “Boat speed,” Kasatani said. “I feel like this boat can reach maximum speed much earlier and the speed is much faster.”

Launched last Monday, the AC Class Groupama Team France made her first flight on Friday. After a period of three weeks of assembly, it was a long wait for all the members of the French Challenger to see their ACC entry take off across the Great Sound.

For skipper Franck Cammas, the day was a success. “There was a lot of wind with 18 knots and gusts to 20 at the beginning. The whole crew is happy.

“We gradually fired up our Groupama Team France until we made fast runs both up and downwind.

“We did not use the full power of the boat on this first trial, even though we reached 37 knots at one point.”

“We sailed an hour and a quarter at every point of sail. We did not work on manoeuvres, but preferred to acquaint ourselves with the new boat sailing in a straight line.

“The fact that the ACC 50 is bigger helps increase stability. The hulls measure 1.5 metres more than those of our AC45S test boat.

“We went fast right from the start, achieved a good balance. The boat is really nice.”

“There are quite a few evolutions to be implemented before reaching the maximum potential of the AC Class Groupama Team France. We need another fortnight.

“In mid-April our last generation foils will arrive. That’s another step ahead. Meanwhile, the goal is to make the most of every possible minute on the water.”