“We’ve got the opportunity of a lifetime”

by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News
It was in 2021 when Defender Team New Zealand won the 36th America’s Cup, beating challenger Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA) 7-3 with racing held March 10-17 in Auckland, New Zealand. That was the Kiwi’s first defense since 2003, and as it ended better than 2003, they are back to do it again in Barcelona, Spain.

They have a new opponent in Great Britain which would very much like to bring the trophy home since USA won it in 1851 after a race around the Isle of Wight. For scorekeepers, this was not the first America’s Cup, as New York Yacht Club hosted that in 1870, and the 37th edition will now be held October 12-27, 2024.

Who will win this best of 13 – first to 7 wins – series? Depends if you vote with your heart or head. Often animosity between the teams helps move the needle, but Brits, who signed up as the Challenger of Record after the 36th Match, have remained in lockstep with the Kiwis. Odds are this partnership will continue after the upcoming match, so expect more harmony for the next edition.

It’s been 60 years since the Brits stepped into the ring, and Yachting World publication reviewed the variables to assess their chances. Recent competition favors the defender as they won the final preliminary regatta and were the top team in the round robin stage of the Louis Vuitton Cup. But that was then, this is now.

New Zealand has had no competition since September 9, and the British team has significantly improved since they last met. Have the Kiwis improved enough to equal the challenger’s ascent? They will have needed to. Curious what people thought, we launched a poll on who would win, and by how much. To vote and see the results, click here.

Regardless, British skipper Ben Ainslie is embracing the opportunity, and with five Olympic medals (4 gold, 1 silver), he’s no rookie when it comes to big moments. How is he handling this one?

“Look, we’re the underdogs in this, without a shadow of doubt,” he told The Guardian. “They’re the clear favorites but that’s a good thing. We’ve got pretty much everything to gain and nothing to lose. We’ve got the opportunity of a lifetime, so we’re really going to go for it.”

Standing by for the first race on Saturday…

Following the publication of the AC37 Protocol and AC75 Class Rule on November 17, 2021, the AC75 Class Rule and AC Technical Regulations were finalized on March 17, 2022. The entry period was from December 1, 2021 until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup could be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the reveal, finally confirming Barcelona on March 30, 2022. The 37th America’s Cup begins October 12, 2024.

Teams revealed to challenge defender Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL):
• INEOS Britannia (GBR)
• Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI)
• Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA)
• NYYC American Magic (USA)
• Orient Express Racing Team (FRA)

2023-24 Preliminary Regattas
September 14-17, 2023 (AC40): Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain
November 30-December 2 (AC40): Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
August 22-25, 2024 (AC75): Barcelona, Spain

2024 Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Selection Series*
August 29-September 9: Double Round Robin
September 14-19: Semi Finals (Best of 9)
September 26-October 7: Finals (Best of 13)

*Team New Zealand competes in the round robin stage only, but the results of their races were not included in the challenger leaderboard.

2024 America’s Cup
October 12-27: 37th Match (Best of 13)

For competition details, click here.

Additionally, 12 teams will compete in the Youth America’s Cup and Women’s America’s Cup.

Noticeboard: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/
Event details: www.americascup.com/en/home