The AC45 wing-sail catamarans to be used for the next America’s Cup World Cup Series will have the same foiling capabilities as their larger cousin, the AC72, used in the 34th America’s Cup.

The six America’s Cup teams have agreed to a project that will see the existing fleet of AC45 catamarans modified into fully foiling catamarans for racing in the America’s Cup World Series.

Furthermore, the teams have also committed to continue to race the foiling AC45s on the America’s Cup World Series circuit in 2018, after the conclusion of the 35th America’s Cup in 2017, which Bermuda could potentially host.

Harvey Schiller, the commercial commissioner for the 35th America’s Cup, said: “I’m pleased all of the competitors have agreed on a way forward, beyond the current America’s Cup cycle,

“To have the teams give certainty to all stakeholders as to what will happen following the racing in 2017, regardless of who wins, is a huge step forward for all involved.”

The teams have undertaken the project to modify the one-design AC45s into fully foiling catamarans with a view to racing the those versions as early as the 2015 World Series season.

A feasibility study has been commissioned to determine whether the modifications will need to wait until the 2016 season as the timeline to make changes to the entire fleet ahead of racing in 2015 is extremely tight.

Bermuda and San Diego are the remaining bidders to host the 35th America’s Cup.

Last week Bill Hanbury, the Bermuda Tourism Authority’s CEO, expressed optimism that Bermuda will get the nod to host what is widely regarded as the pinnacle of sailing.

The America’s Cup Event Authority is expected to confirm the winning host before the end of the year.

In the event that Bermuda ultimately comes up short in its bid to host the next America’s Cup, the Island still stands to gain from being a part of the match racing spectacle.

Grant Gibbons, the Education and Economic Development Minister, who is spearheading the Island’s bid, has confirmed that Bermuda is guaranteed to host a race on the World Series circuit.

Earlier this month the skippers of the six America’s Cup teams gathered in London for two-days of competitors meetings.

The six teams include cup holders Oracle Team USA, Luna Rossa Challenge, Ben Ainslie Racing, Team France, Artemis Racing and Emirates Team New Zealand who lost to Oracle Team USA in the previous America’s Cup after relinquishing a commanding lead.

Two potential challengers, Artemis Racing and Luna Rossa Challenge, have entered teams in next month’s Argo Group Gold Cup.

Francesco Bruni, the Luna Rossa skipper, bested rival 34th America’s Cup tactician Ainslie in last year’s Gold Cup final in Hamilton harbour.