America’s Cup starts in Barcelona on August 22
Barcelona will host the 37th America’s Cup in 2024. The world’s oldest sailing regatta will start on August 22, with the final race taking place on October 27. Barcelona’s Olympic Port and the beaches of Sant Miguel, Barceloneta and Somorrostro will be the epicenters of the competition between six teams competing for the Hundred Guineas Cup, one of the most prestigious sporting trophies in the world.
The current owner of the cup is Emirates Team New Zealand. According to the rules, they must take part in the final match — the 37th match for the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup. Emirates Team New Zealand will face the winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup.
The official opening ceremony of the America’s Cup will take place on Thursday, August 22. It will be followed by the third and final preliminary race (the previous two took place in 2023). In addition to the cup favorites, five teams will participate in the competition:
- Ineos Britannia (Great Britain);
- Alinghi Red Bull Racing (Switzerland);
- Luna Rossa Pirelli Prada Team (Italy);
- NYYC American Magic (USA);
- Orient Express Racing Team (France).
Four individual tests in match racing format are scheduled each day. The teams will compete on AC75 yachts, with AC40s used as training boats. The preliminary regattas will be warm-up races for the Louis Vuitton Cup (Challenger Selection Series).
The Challenger Selection Series is one of the most exciting events of the America’s Cup. Five challenger teams will compete for a place in the final to challenge the winner of the previous edition, Emirates Team New Zealand.
In addition, the 37th America’s Cup will include the Youth America’s Cup and the Puig Women’s America’s Cup.
The final competition will be held in October. The winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup and the Emirates Team New Zealand will play a match of 13 races. The winner of each of them receives one point. The team that first scores 7 points will become the owner of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup and will choose the venue for the 38th edition of the regatta.
There will be no tickets for the America’s Cup — everyone can see this exciting spectacle for free. To do this, just come to the beaches located between Port Vell and Port Olímpic. In addition, you can visit the official America’s Cup Race Village, located along the Moll de la Fusta, free of charge. It is open daily from 12:00 to 22:00, and on Fridays and Saturdays until 23:00.
The America’s Cup race schedule and detailed information about the participants can be found on the official website of the competition.
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Photo by Dale Frost from flickr.com
