The 37th America’s Cup competition is coming fast. The countdown clock is relentless. For all the teams, starting with the defender Emirates Team New Zealand, the time to finalise strategies and make crucial decisions on boat design and other technical aspects is running out, with many uncertainties still to be resolved. Meanwhile, Barcelona is getting ready to host the event.
We are one year away from the conclusion of discussions, training, testing, and the completion of the Challenger Selection Series. At that point, the ultimate Challenger will be determined to face the Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand, in the first race of the America’s Cup Match. This marks the highly awaited day in every America’s Cup cycle.
The teams in this cycle are experiencing a tangible increase in pressure, as significant choices have already been made regarding the design of the hull profile. However, even more, substantial decisions remain uncertain, particularly concerning foils, systems, sail designs, crew protocols, and racing playbook styles.
During the summer in Barcelona, teams had the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the unique conditions of the La Barceloneta seafront. They experienced its swells the chop, and all manner of conditions from flat calm to full-on. It’s an ultimate sailing challenge but even more of a developmental battle. The world’s best designers, engineers, mechatronics experts, AI developers, and computer technicians worldwide are working hard to find the winning edge among thousands of variables within the standards set in the racing Protocol.
The America’s Cup Experience in Barcelona
Whilst the sailors and teams prepare, the city of Barcelona is preparing to host the event. The America’s Cup Experience was inaugurated with the opening of the Official Exhibition Centre for the 37th America’s Cup in Port Vell, which also hosted the opening ceremony of the 61st Barcelona International Boat Show. The glittering opening of the America’s Cup Experience was attended by nearly 300 authorities and guests, including Jaume Sabater, representative of America’s Cup Experience, Anna Erra, President of the Parliament of Catalonia, Víctor Francos, President of the Spanish Higher Sports Council, David Escudé, Sports Councillor of Barcelona Regional and City Council, Marta Domènech, General Director of Tourism of the Government of Catalonia and Lluís Salvadó, President of the Port of Barcelona.
From the Challenger Selection to the 37th America’s Cup match
This time next year, we will know the winner of the Challenger Selection Series. Every challenger has a case that could be made in their favour. The winner will be the one that delivers on the greatest stage, right when it matters most. No place for the faint hearted.
With the Challenger selected, all the world’s media attention will move to Barcelona, waiting for the the greatest sailing competition on the planet: the 37th America’s Cup match. The Challenger will have to face the highly competitive Emirates Team New Zealand. The Kiwis, aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive America’s Cup victory, a feat never achieved by any team. This would indeed mark their third triumph, following the successful editions of 2017 and 2021, all achieved with Armare Ropes as the Official Supplier.
Discover more about Armare Ropes as Official Supplier to Emirates Team New Zealand.