Is this year’s America’s Cup set to be the best in history as it kicks off in Barcelona?

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 starts today. The third and final preliminary race, which will last until Sunday, is the perfect preview and will serve to see the AC75s in action for the first time and gauge the strength of all the teams. Waiting on the starting line are the defender 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 against boat), and the two best will compete in the last race on Sunday in a Grand Final: the races are scheduled every day from 8:00 a.m. ET.

The real action will begin with the Louis Vuitton Cup, a competition that the five challengers will contest on August 29, but first, it’s time to test their weapons—AC75s, which are 75-foot (23-meter) long monohulls that sail on foils. The speeds achieved by these vessels are over 50 knots (100 km/h), which is why they are considered the Formula 1 of the sea.

The best of the best will be in the waters of Barcelona, and the budgets being handled are stratospheric: close to 150 million euros. All to lift a tremendously coveted Auld Mug Cup. Emirates Team New Zealand helmsman Peter Burling has no doubts: “It will be the best America’s Cup in history, exciting.”

As winners of the last two editions, the Kiwis are the main favorites to win the trophy again, but “no one can be ruled out.” American Magic, winner of the first pre-regatta in Vilanova, and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli will be strong contenders. The Italians were the finalists of the 36th America’s Cup in Auckland (2021) and are now ready to fight again. Without going any further, helmsman Francesco Bruni warned yesterday that “we all want to win, and we will do whatever it takes. It is important for the team, and I am very proud of everyone with us. Now, it is up to us to reach the finish line and achieve success.”

None of the pre-regattas, including this one in Barcelona, count for points in the Louis Vuitton Cup or the 37th America’s Cup, but pride is at stake. Four intense regattas begin today, with four match races per day. This America’s Cup aims to open it up to spectators, so the regatta course will be in front of the beaches of Barcelona, which stretch from Sant Sebastià to Bogatell. Free Fan Zones with giant screens and recreational areas at the Moll de la Fusta and Plaça del Mar will be free. According to the data, this competition impacts the local economy by more than 1.2 billion euros.

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

The first day of the pre-race will begin at 14:00 (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 stretch of preparation, having suffered two mast breaks in recent months (the last one on Tuesday). After that, the main event is that the previous America’s Cup in Auckland 2021 finalists will 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 up will be 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 of the details of the Americans, which sets them apart from the rest of the teams, is that their riders ride in a reclining position facing the stern 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 race course to compete in its second race of the day, this time against the Orient Express Racing Team.

More races will take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until the last one on Sunday is reserved for the Grand Final. There will be 15 races in which everyone will challenge each other, and only two will make it to the final battle for the title of this pre-regatta in Barcelona. The show is ready to begin.