Barcelona Preliminary Regatta

The only AC Preliminary regatta in 2024 will take place from 22nd to 25th august in Barcelona

Elena Giolai/SLAM

Barcelona

From the Olympics to the America's Cup

Barcelona is soon to become the first city in history to host an edition of both the Olympic Games and the America's Cup.
Starting 22nd August, the first match races will kick off with the Barcelona Preliminary Regatta, a warm-up in view of the Louis Vuitton Cup. This coveted trophy will determine which challenger will take on the defender Emirates Team New Zealand for the Auld Mug.

In the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup there is no second: it's win or lose. A tradition that has defined the event for over 173 years.

What is the Barcelona Preliminary regatta?

This is the first battle fought between the new AC75s, a battle that won’t lack for innovation or surprises. After days, months, years of planning, after research, testing, and training, it will finally come down to the moment we have all been waiting for, the head-to-head match races of the Barcelona Preliminary Regatta, scheduled to take place from 22nd to 25th August.

During this phase of the competition and the subsequent first round robin of the Louis Vuitton Cup (29th August – 8th September) Emirates Team New Zealand will be able to race against the rest of the teams and then lie in wait until the winner of the LVC final is declared (26th September – 7th October): only then will the team know the face of its challenger for the 37th America's Cup (12th - 27th October).

Format

Opponents 6 Racing teams

The Defender: Emirates Team New Zealand

The Challenger of Record: INEOS Britannia

The Challengers:

Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI)

NYYC American Magic (USA)

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (ITA)

Orient Express Racing Team (FRA)

Each team will race 4 match races per day, earning 1 point for each victory. The first two will advance to the "winner-takes-all" final that will take place after the last elimination match races on 25th August, the moment the winner will be decided.

Racecourse

The racecourse is defined by a series of virtual boundaries which if breached will cost the boat’s team overstepping them a penalty. The course also features imaginary gates, both leeward and windward, delimited each by two buoys through which the boats must sail. Depending on the tactics of each boat, the buoy in question may be to the left or right as they choose to go for one side or the other of the racecourse.

Will the Preliminary Regatta reveal the boats' true potential?

No one wants to lose points during the Preliminary Regatta even though points do not count towards claiming the Louis Vuitton Cup/America's Cup. However, everyone will be keeping an eye out to assess the other teams and the speed of their boats ahead of the start of the Louis Vuitton Cup on 29th August, when nothing will be held back.

From 22nd August onwards, teams will be able to begin forming an initial idea of who is faster and the boats’ conditions, of who can manoeuvre best in the before the starting line, what the top speeds will be. To date, no one can know the answers to these questions and even during the Preliminary Regatta there might be teams who adopt strategies, in which they deliberately avoid using specific technological aspects and their true speed, just to surprise their opponents when it really matters. All decisions that will be barely possible to distinguish from the outside. One thing, however, is certain: the Preliminary Regatta in Barcelona will be the most fascinating edition in the 173-year history of the America's Cup, a spectacle of boats, tech and speeds never seen before.

Where to watch

In Italy:

• Sky sport, Channel 20 Mediaset, free-to-watch

Streaming: Sportmediaset

Worldwide:

Official America’s Cup Facebook page and YouTube channel

• americascup.com

Where to watch

In Barcelona:

The regatta will be south of La Barceloneta and Hotel W, one of the symbols of contemporary Catalan architecture.

At Moll de la Fusta, the race village has been set up with four giant screens, without a direct view of the water.

At Le Fanzones in Plaça del Mar and Bogatell, on the other hand, there will be a direct view, situated opposite the regatta area and also equipped with giant screens.

Plaça de la Rosa dels Vents, Port Olímpic and the beaches of St. Miguel, Barceloneta and Somorrostro are also excellent options, but you will need to follow the live broadcasts online via your own device (tablet or smartphone) if you want to closely follow the boats and regattas.

THE EMIRATES TEAM NEW ZEALAND AC75

Over land, sea and sky soars Taihoro

The AC75’s name “Taihoro” takes inspiration from the term Taihoro-Nukurangi, which can be translated as “moving swiftly as the sea between both sky and earth”. A name such as Taihoro-Nukurangi perfectly captures and combines the dynamic essence of the sea (Tai), the concept of speed (Horo), the earth's movement (Nuku), and the expanse of the sky (Rangi).

“Taihoro” is a name that encapsulates the boat’s evolutionary journey. It transcends traditional boundaries, connecting the sea and sky. This vessel is more than just a craft; it harnesses the power of nature, seamlessly transitioning between realms. “Taihoro” means more than just traversing the ocean; it bridges the gap between sea and sky in its quest for victory.