37^th America’s Cup – Barcelona

The Louis Vuitton Cup starts Thursday in Catalan waters off Barcelona and marks the true beginning of the 37^th America’s Cup. As it is this phase when five Challengers compete for the right to challenge the Defender Emirates Team New Zealand for the Silver Ewer, led by Matteo de Nora, member of Yacht Club de Monaco’s Management Committee.

Fast-paced

Like the powerful AC75 foiling monohulls that will be putting on a show, the pace will be super-fast as these racing machines flirt with speeds up to 40 knots. The Louis Vuitton Cup follows a meticulously planned program starting with eight days of Round Robins divided into three phases: four days of racing followed by a reserve day before two more days on the water. Each team meets each of the others twice. New for this edition is that the Defender, the Kiwis, get to race the five teams in competition. However, their performance will not count in the ranking but allows the Defender (and Challengers!) to accumulate data and experience before getting down to business in the grand finale in a few weeks’ time.

By the 7^th or 11^th September, depending on weather conditions, the first Challenger should have been eliminated. The other four – separated by points – qualify for the semi-finals starting 14^th September. A small but highly significant rule is that the one topping the ranking can choose their opponent for the semi-final, leaving the other two to battle it out. The first two to win five races go through to the final scheduled for 26^th September to 5^th October (until the 7^th with a few days in reserve). The first to win seven races becomes the Challenger that takes on Emirates Team New Zealand. These last match races will take place 12-21 October (with six days in reserve taking the event up to 27^th October).

Team Orient Express and Alinghi Red Bull Racing will be the first syndicates to compete in this qualifying event for the America’s Cup.