Since yesterday, Vilanova i la Geltrú has already been fully immersed in the preliminary regattas of the 37th edition of the Sailing America's Cup, with anticipation and great security measures by land, sea and air.
The police presence, which even has helicopters, drones, boats or anti-terrorist forces, is very notable. The maritime strip has been closed to traffic and parking is prohibited. Only complaints were registered about the slowness that occurred in the unified accreditation center. This prevented one of the six local restaurants from being able to set up in Port Square before the Race Village opened.
The city expects about 40,000 visitors until Sunday, although yesterday the influx was not yet very notable.
The hotels and tourist apartments in Vilanova have been selling out for weeks and there are only a few camping places available, according to the president of the Gremi d'Hostaleria de Vilanova, Jordi Gasol. In the neighboring town of Sitges the occupancy “is the usual one on a weekend in September that coincides with an event,” according to the president of the Gremi d’Hostaleria, Oskar Stöber.
The mayor of Vilanova, Juan Luis Ruiz, assures that the city “has amazed” an organization that celebrates that it is “a cozy place under the sun, with a warm and temperate climate throughout the year, which attracts en masse tourists and families, as well as those seeking to settle in one of the most welcoming places in Catalonia, a headquarters of impressive beauty.”
Yesterday, at the inauguration of the regattas with the president of the Generalitat, Pere Aragonès, among other authorities, Ruiz wanted to thank the organization, the institutions, the local entities and the volunteers who have made possible "an unprecedented event that “It puts us on the international map.”
The helmsmen of the six boats that will compete in the waters of the capital of Garraf, who were welcomed by a Red Bull aerobatic plane upon arrival in the city, have highlighted the “very good” weather conditions for sailing. The skippers have also shown that the fact that they all compete with the same model of boat, the AC40 flying one-designs, which can reach 50 knots, equalizes the chances of victory, as Tom Slingsby, who is making his debut as helmsman, remarked yesterday. from NYYC American Magic.
According to Quentin Delapierre, skipper of the Orient Express Racing Team, success is based on “tactics” and good communications. Peter Burling, skipper of Emirates Team New Zealand, revealed that each team has its own way of preparing but clarified that “the more time you spend in the water, the more ability you have to resolve situations.” He assures that the Vilanova regattas will allow us to see “where things can go ahead of the final competition in Barcelona.”
Arnau Psarofaghis, skipper of Alinghi Red Bull Racing, highlighted the importance of this weekend for his crew, while Francesco Bruni assessed the evolution of his team, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli. Ben Ainslie, from INEOS Britannia, acknowledged that we are “excited to be competing again.”
The competition starts today, Friday after yesterday's official training sessions. It can be followed for free on the beach (Ribes Roges) or through giant screens.
