The first America’s Cup preliminary regatta has been confirmed for the Catalonian port of Vilanova i la Geltru from September 14-17.
The port is about 45km down the coast from Barcelona which will host the next America’s Cup in 2024.
The preliminary regatta will feature all six Cup teams racing in the half-scale AC40 foiling monohulls in fleet racing and match racing formats.
It will mark a year to go till the America’s Cup challenger series starts in Barcelona.
All racing will be broadcast free-to-air through a dedicated America’s Cup television production with the regatta offering the first glimpse of what can be expected for the Youth and Women’s America’s Cups which will also be raced in the one-design AC40 class.
America’s Cup Event CEO and Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton said the development was a reflection of the Catalonia region’s commitment to the America’s Cup.
A second preliminary regatta is in the pipeline for October with Luna Rossa’s home port of Cagliari in Sardinia keen to host it.
A third preliminary regatta would be held in Barcelona next year before the challenger series.
Team New Zealand have been busy training and testing in two AC40s in Auckland.
Credit: stuff.co.nz
