Barcelona is ready to become the world capital of sailing. The America’s Cup will put Barcelona even more in the spotlight and the countdown begins today. The third and final pre-race, which runs until Sunday, is the perfect preview and serves to see the AC75 in action for the first time and to assess the strength of all the teams.Waiting at the start line are the defending champion of the Hundred Guineas Cup, Emirates Team New Zealand, and the five challengers: INEOS Britannia, Alinghi Red Bull Racing, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, NYYC American Magic and Orient Express Racing Team. There are four days of match racing (boat versus boat), and the top two compete in a grand finale in the last race on Sunday: racing takes place every day starting at 8:00 a.m. ET.

The real action begins with the Louis Vuitton Cup, a competition that the five challengers will contest on August 29. But first they must test their weapons – the AC75.These are 75-foot (23-meter) long monohulls that sail on wings. The sThe speed of these ships is over 50 knots (100 km/h), which is why they are considered the Formula 1 of the seas.

The best of the best will be seen in the waters off Barcelona and the budgets involved are stratospheric: almost 150 million euros. And all this to create a highly sought-after Auld MugPeter Burling, helmsman of Emirates Team New Zealand, has no doubts: “It will be the best America’s Cup in history, exciting.”

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As winners of the last two editions, the Kiwis are the main favourites to win the trophy again, but “nobody can be ruled out.” American Magic, winners of the first pre-regatta in Vilanova, and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli will be strong competitors. The Italians were finalists of the 36th America’s Cup in Auckland (2021) and are now ready to fight again. Without going into further detail, helmsman Francesco Bruni warned yesterday: “We all want to win and will do whatever it takes. It is important for the team and I am very proud of each and every one of us.” Now it’s up to us to reach the finish line and succeed.”

None of the preliminary regattas, including this one in Barcelona, ​​count towards the Louis Vuitton Cup or the 37th America’s Cup.but pride is at stake. Today, four exciting regattas begin with four match races per day. This America’s Cup is to be open to spectators, so The regatta course runs along the beaches of Barcelona, ​​which stretch from Sant Sebastià to Bogatell. Free fan zones with giant screens and recreation areas at Moll de la Fusta and Plaça del Mar are free. According to the data The economic benefit of this competition amounts to more than 1.2 billion euros for the local economy.

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Alinghi Red Bull Racing and Orient Express Racing Team open the dance

The first day of pre-race starts at 2:00 p.m. (America’s Cup YouTube). The opening match will be between Alinghi Red Bull Racing and Orient Express Racing Team. The Swiss have had the most problems in this final phase of preparation, having suffered two broken masts in recent months (the last one on Tuesday). After that, the main event is set to see the previous finalists of the America’s Cup in Auckland 2021 face each other: Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli. The battle between helmsmen Peter Burling and Nathan Outteridge against Jimmy Spithill and Francesco Bruni looks spectacular on paper.

Next comes the duel between INEOS Britannia (Dylan Fletcher-Scott will ultimately be the one to accompany Sir Ben Ainslie as helmsman) and NYYC American Magic. One detail of the Americans that sets them apart from the other teams is that their riders ride in a lying position facing the rear, instead of sitting. Here we will see if this is a wise or risky decision. In the last race of the opening day, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli will return to the circuit to contest its second race of the day, this time against the Orient Express Racing Team.

Further races will take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, until the last one on Sunday is reserved for the grand finale. There will be 15 races where everyone will challenge everyone else and only two will make it to the final battle for the title of this pre-regatta in Barcelona. Let the show begin.