The preliminary tests in Vilanova i la Geltrú for the 37th edition of the Copa del América have aroused great expectations in Garraf. It is estimated that, at a minimum, the regattas – a great free spectacle in which the French, Italian, Swiss, English, American and New Zealand teams will measure their forces – will be followed by between 20,000 and 25,000 spectators a day during the four days of competition, from next September 14 to 17. About 100,000 in total.
It is expected to accredit some eighty televisions from around the world. The media area will be installed in the La Daurada leisure center, which will monitor the competition. Pendennis Vilanova Grand Marina will be the base camp for the competition teams. And the Club Nàutic Vilanova will become the operations center, where the organization will be installed. On the other hand, there will be two spaces that will be nerve centers for the public. The main one will be the Plaza del Port, where a stage will be set up and recreational activities will take place. The other fan zone will be located on the Ribes Roges beach, with an area for the public, activities and giant screens. The regatta field will be located on the seafront of Ribes Roges beach.
The preliminaries will begin on September 14 with official training. They can be followed from the beach and also with giant screens in various spaces, with real-time parameters on the strength and direction of the wind or speed. The tests will be broadcast thanks to the images that will be captured from helicopters and drones, since regattas have never been held so close to the coast. The teams' support boats will be powered by green hydrogen. The president of Club Nàutic Vilanova, Jaume Ballbé, states that "being able to participate in the main sailing competition in the world, as well as being an honor, is an opportunity to claim the nautical activity in our city and in our territory". The mayoress of Vilanova, Olga Arnau, affirms that "the America's Cup is the greatest showcase that the city has ever had". And she recalled that "there are five months of very intense work ahead, in which we will have the entire city, since there will also have to be a significant mobilization of volunteers to collaborate with the organization."
The choice of the waters of Vilanova and Geltrú is seen as a great opportunity. The president of the Gran Penedès Business Federation, Neus Lloveras, believes that "it is a great opportunity to make known the relevance and potential that Vilanova has in the nautical field". The president of the Garraf Regional Council, Mònica Gallardo, states that the disposition of the administrations and services is total to ensure the success of the different events that will be held in the region. He believes that "it will be a great opportunity, which will generate a special economic activity, which we must know how to take advantage of".
The director of the Agència de Desenvolupament Node Garraf, Isidre Also, considers that "the preliminary episode of the Copa del América will have its epicenter in Vilanova on its own merits, surely due to the fact that things have been done well". But Also clarifies that the proximity to Barcelona and the neighborhood with Sitges must be taken into account, which “will have been decisive”. He points out that from September 14 to 17 they will talk about Vilanova and Sitges, but that there will also be an impact on the local environment. All this leads him to consider that "the event should be used to agitate with greater emphasis the ingredients of the blue economy in Vilanova and the region, and obtain revenues in the medium and long term". For his part, the president of the Gremi d'Hostaleria de Vilanova, Jordi Gasol, understands that the America's Cup will be "a very good pretext" to promote Catalan nautical tourism. And he adds that “in Sitges and Vilanova we will be able to promote food and wine, cultural and commercial tourism”.
