Although it will be held between August and October 2024, the Copa del América will be a reality this summer. The six participating teams begin these days the construction of their bases, spread over Port Vell, so that from July 1 they can train. It will be a contact, one year before the official regattas, which will serve to take the pulse of the waters and the wind of the Catalan capital and that the organization wants to take advantage of to publicize this sporting event, which has been proposed to be the most popular, open and accessible in its long history that will add up to 173 years.
In addition to preparing the sporting event, ACE Barcelona, the local branch responsible for the organization, works to seduce the people of Barcelona. Not surprisingly, it aspires to have at least 2,500 volunteers. In a certain way, it is about reliving the Olympic experience of 1992. It is also expected that the America's Cup will be a revulsion for the popular practice of sailing and for the promotion of the city's blue economy.
Yesterday marked one year since the announcement that the Catalan capital would host the 37th edition. At that time –and to a large extent today too– many were unaware of the importance of hosting this competition, the third most popular in the media, after the Olympic Games and the Soccer World Cup. Unlike these two big events and many others, the America's Cup has a markedly popular character since it can be seen, in situ, for free. Even in terms of television rights, the channels that broadcast the regattas openly will be prioritized. The previous edition, held in 2021 in Auckland (Australia), brought together 950 million people in front of the screens. Without a doubt, it will be a great global spot for Barcelona.
Emirates Team New Zealand, defending champions, will be at the Barcelona pier, next to the World Trade Centre, where the press center and ACE Barcelona offices are located. The Challenger of Record (first challenger), Ineos Britannia, from the United Kingdom, will be located in the Marina del Port Vell, next to the Imax. The Swiss Alinghi Red Bull Racing will be placed where the Cinesa cinemas were, between L'Aquàrium and the Maremagnum. The Italian Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team, next to the Nueva Bocana, next to the Barcelona Nautic Center. The American American Magic will be at Marina Barcelona 92, with access from Paseo Joan de Borbó. And the Orient Express Racing Team, from France, at the Ponent quay, next to the Porta d'Europa drawbridge. The joint base for the women's and youth teams will be at the Xaloc wharf in Port Olímpic.
Barcelona's maritime façade will be the stands of a large stadium over the sea located just two hundred meters from the coastline. This is an advantage that the Catalan capital has over other places, where a greater distance is required. The regattas will be able to be held so close because the waters are deep enough. The competition area will extend between the new entrance and the Port Olímpic, so that the events can be followed from the beaches, piers and dikes, converted for the occasion into grandstands. Giant screens will be placed to facilitate the vision of the boats and the information of the tests. It is estimated that these spaces could receive some three million people.
“One year on, we are really making progress in all aspects and it is exciting to see all the teams already operating at a very high level as they test and evaluate their training rigs before building their new AC75 for competition in 2024.” Grant Dalton, head of the organization, assessed yesterday through a statement. The also director of Emirates Team New Zealand, who will defend the title, who described Barcelona as a "vibrant venue", reiterated his intention to seduce the people of Barcelona. “We want the public to know us, get involved and come to the waterfront,” he said. For her part, Aurora Catà, executive vice president of ACE Barcelona, highlighted in a meeting with the press, the desire to "recover the Olympic spirit", which she sees possible since "the values of the America's Cup, sustainability, diversity, inclusion and innovation, are the same that our city has”.
The Race Village will be a central point of interest during the competition. It will open on August 22, 2024, the day the opening of this 37th edition will be held, and it can be visited during the two months that the competition lasts. In the provisional calendar, October 27 has been set as the completion date. This venue will occupy the Fusta pier and access will also be free, limited to capacity. It will be a point of diffusion of the competition and of connection with the participating boats and the bases of the teams. It will host acts of all kinds, from gastronomy to musicals. Classic boats are also expected to moor.
Earlier this summer, in addition to following the training sessions in the same area that will host the competition, the people of Barcelona will be able to learn about the event, which to date, since 1851, has held 36 editions, at the America's Cup Experience. It will be located in the Imax building, on the Espanya dock, which is being adapted for this purpose. It will be a center dedicated to explaining the competition through the latest technologies, with immersive systems. The intention is to keep it until January 2025. and to receive 1.5 million visitors. The investment in this equipment is 4.6 million.
Work is also underway to prepare for the preliminary regattas. The first will take place in Vilanova i la Geltrú from September 14 to 17. The second, surely in Cagliari (Sardinia), in October. Both will be disputed with the monohulls with foils (hydrofoils) AC40, 11.80 meters long. The third will take place in Barcelona, from August 23 to 26, 2024, with the AC75 (22.90 meters) with which the teams will compete in the Challenger Selection Series (Challengers Tournament, between August 31 and August 6). October, according to the provisional calendar, which will determine the rival that will challenge Emirates Team New Zealand between October 12 and 27. The Youth America's Cup –sailors under 25 years of age– will begin on September 19, 2024 and the final will be on October 2. The Women's America's Cup will start on October 3 and end on October 16. Both will have AC40 boats.
