The clock continues to count down to what could be the closest contest in living memory with absolutely no outright favourite and every team very much in the running for the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup.
The six main teams have been training hard all over the world and are coming to the business end of their campaigns now with their new, era-defining AC75s, launched and getting ready to feel the heat of white-hot competition from August 22nd through September and October 2024 in Barcelona where truly ‘There is no Second.’
So too, the twelve teams from 12 nations that will contest the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup and the inaugural Puig Women’s America’s Cup. The next generation of America’s Cup sailing superstars will be on display – future winners, for sure, of the oldest continually contested international sports trophy will be vying to establish their credentials and prove their potential on the world stage, in the full glare of the fans and media.
Both events promise to deliver outstanding competition and a real pathway through to the senior teams. Based at the Port Olímpic, and sailing in the new AC40 Class, spectators can get closer than ever before and feel for themselves the pure adrenaline that will be coursing through the Youth & Women’s teams.
Shoreside, Barcelona is getting ready to host an outstanding global event, similar in scale and style to their magnificent running of the 1992 Olympic Games. Thousands of volunteers have signed up for ‘Team B’ across a multitude of roles and will bring enormous enthusiasm, panache and courtesy to ensure the smoothest running of the regatta. The beautiful Port Vell will be thronged by boats of all shapes and sizes plus the addition of the J Class yachts that contested the America’s Cup in the 1930’s and the 12-Metre Class who sailed between 1958 and 1987.
For spectators, this will be one of the most accessible America’s Cup events in history with perfect viewing all along the Barcelona beachfront whilst two dedicated Fanzones and viewing areas are being installed with jumbo screens, refreshments and catering zones on Bogatell beach and along the Plaça del Mar.
The Official Race Village will be housed along the Moll de la Fusta and will be free to enter. It will be the beating heart for spectators wishing to get close to the sailors before and after racing with presentations on the main stage whilst soaking in the unique atmosphere of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup and catching all the racing live on the big screens with full commentary. Plus don’t forget to make a beeline for the America’s Cup Experience – the world’s first dedicated America’s Cup exhibition opposite the Aquarium.
Barcelona is a feast for the senses at every turn of this iconic city – its art, culture, cuisine and architecture is second to none and it truly is set to stage one of the all time classic America’s Cup regattas. The Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup is just 100 days away now and the sense of anticipation is at fever pitch. Don’t miss it. This is world class sport and it’s free for all to come and be a part of.
10 FACTS WHY THE LOUIS VUITTON 37TH AMERICA’S CUP IS POISED TO BE THE BEST EVER…
1/ The Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup will see the world’s most technological boats ever launched – the version two AC75s. These super-fast monohulls rise out of the water on foils giving the appearance of flying across the water and capable of speeds well in excess of 54 knots (100km/h). Crewed by just eight sailors (2 helmsmen, 2 flight controllers/trimmers and 4 cyclors) the new generation AC75s are designed to race in a variety of conditions from 6 to 21 knots of windspeed.
2/ The Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup could be the closest regatta in history. With the design rule now so narrow, even seasoned Cup watchers and competitors can’t declare an outright favourite, thus making the outcome and destiny of the famous trophy impossible to predict. The five challengers from the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Italy, United States of America, and France have to go head-to-head in the Louis Vuitton Cup for the chance to take on the Defender of the America’s Cup, Emirates Team New Zealand. The Challenger will be battle hardened after successfully navigating two Round Robins, a Semi-Final and a Final but will they have enough to beat the mighty Kiwis? That the question on everyone’s lips.
3/ The America’s Cup Race Village is one of the best places for spectators to soak up the atmosphere of the regatta and get close to the sailors. Located on the Moll de la Fusta opposite the Real Club Náutico Barcelona, the AC Race Village is open every raceday from midday and will feature jumbo-sized screens and the main stage where sailors will be interviewed before and after dock-out. The village will also have activations and plenty of dining options and be the free hub of entertainment for the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup.
4/ Spectators will have the best ever viewing gallery of America’s Cup racing in the history of the event. The official racecourse is located just a few hundred metres off the Barceloneta beachfront giving spectators a FREE front row seat for the greatest sailing event on the planet.
With a full array of viewing options along the waterfront from free Fanzones on the beachfront to world class hospitality at the House of AC at Port Olímpic. And of course a number of viewing options from on the water also from the local tourist boat providers.
5/ Women will get top billing for the first time ever in the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup with the inaugural Puig Women’s America’s Cup being held in Barcelona.
Sailing the super-fast AC40 yachts, more than 70 of the very best female athletes in the world will go head-to-head with the match-race Final scheduled to take place 5th- 12th October, with the Final race in between races in the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Match.
6/ The next generation of foiling superstars will be showcased at the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup.
Based out of the Port Olímpic, the competition for under-25 year old sailors is from 17th – 26th September and will culminate with a match-race Final to be held between races of the Louis Vuitton Cup. The pathway to the top echelons of the America’s Cup has never been clearer.
7/ Being in Europe, the audience for the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup is predicted to be the biggest in the event’s 173-year history. Broadcast globally free to air on TV and streaming live on www.americascup.com and YouTube, spectators from around the world will be able to tune in from the comfort of home (or in the office) at convenient, optimised times with an expected global audience of 1.5 billion across all racing. Which team will make it through to win the Louis Vuitton Cup and chance to face the Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand in the America’s Cup Match? You can expect an influx of fans to Barcelona to support both teams on the verge of history come October 12th.
8/ Barcelona is visited by almost 13 million tourists a year, making it one of the most attractive cities in the world for visitors and entrepreneurs. With so much to see and do in Barcelona, it’s no wonder that it’s so popular but with the America’s Cup in town with visitors taking in the regatta, the packed harbour full of superyachts (and even the historic J Class yachts from the 1930’s), the Race Village and the chance to get an immersive experience at the world’s first dedicated America’s Cup exhibition – the America’s Cup Experience down on the Port Vell.
9/ The regatta will lead the way into hydrogen technology in the marine sector. Hydrogen powered foiling chase boats capable of over 50 knots have been mandated for all competitors to use as one of their support boats on the racecourse area. There will be 9 of the revolutionary boats, buzzing around the race course each day powered by hydrogen with only water vapour for clean emissions.
10/ The people of Barcelona have taken the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup to their hearts. With memories of the 1992 Olympic Games and the positive legacy that it left the City of Barcelona, the volunteer programme for the regatta has been a huge success with some 2,300 volunteer places being filled and training well underway for those wanting to make this America’s Cup the best ever. Expect a warm welcome and a very polished operation – Barcelona’s people are known to be some of the friendliest on earth.
