The Preliminary Regatta in Vilanova i la Geltrú (14th – 17th September) will raise the curtain on the 37th America’s Cup. Although the results of the preliminary regattas do not count towards the Challenger Selection Series or the America’s Cup itself, the Vilanova regatta will nonetheless mark the kick-off of the America’s Cup, which will reach its climax between September and October 2024 in Barcelona.
For the first time since the 2021 edition in Auckland, the Defender and Challengers will have the opportunity to officially face each other in competition and assess their respective progress in terms of teamwork and confidence with the new boats: the yachts used are the very recent AC40s, One Design monohulls (the same for all the teams), equipped with foils and capable of reaching and exceeding 40 knots of speed (around 80 km/h). Four sailors will be on board.
In Vilanova there will be fleet races (with all teams together), plus a match race final (one against one) between the two top teams. Although Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli has spent less time than its competitors on board the AC40, preferring to focus on the development of the LEQ12 in Cagliari, the training sessions carried out in Barcelona have shown that the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli sailors are perfectly at ease on these boats and ready to battle in every regatta.
Italian supporters will be able to follow the regattas live on TV on September 15th, 16th and 17th on the dedicated Mediaset and Sky channels.