“Like a jewel in the sun” was how Montserrat Caballé and Freddy Mercury described Barcelona in their famous song about the city. The cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalonia region–known worldwide for its art, architecture and vibrancy–is shining even brighter by welcoming the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup and its teams.
All the teams’ bases are located within the Port Vell area and surrounded by the America’s Cup Race Village where tens of thousands of spectators were accommodated daily. The racecourse, just outside the port entrance breakwaters, was set in front of significant FanZones, beach viewing platforms and a hospitality area to provide the perfect vista.
The Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta started on the 22nd August and the Louis Vuitton Cup (Challenger Selection Series) followed, leading up to the Louis Vuitton America's Cup Match starting on the 12th of October 2024. During 2023 and summer 2024, three preliminary events were held in Vilanova i La Geltrú, Jeddah, and Barcelona. In June 2023, all teams set up their bases and started training in Barcelona.
The holders of the America’s Cup are Emirates Team New Zealand representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, but some strong competition is coming for them. INEOS Britannia, the ‘Challenger of Record’ from the United Kingdom, are in charge of the Louis Vuitton Cup (Challenger Selection Series) to decide who will race against Emirates Team New Zealand for the trophy. The unique format of the Cup sees the Defender of the trophy automatically entitled to race in the final Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup Match whereas the Challengers will undertake a series to find the top yacht to take on the New Zealand team. The additional confirmed entries are: Alinghi Red Bull Racing from Switzerland, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli from Italy, American Magic New York Yacht Club from the USA and Orient Express Racing Team from France.
The AC75s are the pinnacle of foiling monohull yachts. Created for the 36th America’s Cup, they are a technological leap ahead of typical yachts. With foils that lift them out of the water and enable the yachts to generate so much momentum that they sail four times faster than the wind.
For the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup, the second generation of the AC75s will be even faster with wider foils and refinements all over. Eight crew are aboard and some of the finest sailing talent are charged with racing them.
The AC40s, meanwhile, were the boats used for the UniCredit Youth and Puig Women's America’s Cup events and as training vessels for the main teams competing in the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup. Smaller but no less potent, with a four-person crew, these pocket-rockets were launched to much fanfare in September 2022, and their performance has been astonishing.
The Louis Vuitton Cup (Challenger Selections Series) determined which team will face the Defender Emirates Team New Zealand in the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Match.
The Louis Vuitton Cup comprised of a double Round Robin stage and a Semi-Final stage, followed by a two-boat Final. The top four teams, INEOS Britannia, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, NYYC American Magic, and Alinghi Red Bull Racing raced in a first-to-five-points Semi-Final, with the two winners advancing to the Final Match Race. The winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup, INEOS Britannia, the team who first scored seven points, will face Emirates Team New Zealand, the Defender of the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup.
The America’s Cup is the race with no second place. Either you win or you lose, and it has been like this for over 170 years.
In October 2024 the Defender Emirates Team New Zealand faced INEOS Britannia, the winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup (Challenger Selection Series), in a 13-race Match. Each race will be a match race between the two teams. The winner of each race scores one point, the loser scores no points. The first team to score seven points will become the Defender of the 38th America’s Cup.
