With 172 years of innovation, rivalry and sailing legends behind it, the America’s Cup is much more than the world’s oldest sporting trophy; it is sailing’s ultimate prize.
Next summer will see eight weeks of elite racing on the waters off Barcelona, Spain. Six teams will battle for ultimate supremacy – some hoping new partnerships with F1 teams will give them the edge, others relying on the momentum of numerous campaigns – but, as Queen Victoria was purportedly told on witnessing the inaugural race back in 1851, “There is no second.”
For all the event’s history, the Defender – Emirates Team New Zealand – and the Challenger of Record – INEOS Britannia – have decreed this will be a very modern Cup. The Deed of Gift, which sets out the parameters, has this time been carefully crafted to forge pathways, limit costs, promote sustainability and pioneer tech development. A nationality rule is also back, a nod to the event’s original intention for “friendly competition between foreign countries.”
After successfully defending the Cup on home waters of Auckland in 2021, the Defender selected the Catalonian city of Barcelona as host in a bid process concluded in March of last year, amid huge controversy regarding the financing of the event.
Barcelona offers ideal sailing conditions in late summer, with winds around 9-11kts, and is renowned
