Competition details for America's Cup (original) (raw)

Published on July 30th, 2024

The Sailing Instructions have been finalized for the final Preliminary Regatta, the Louis Vuitton Cup (Challenger Series), and the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Match.

Depending on the conditions, the Preliminary Regatta on August 22-25 may well offer some significant clues as to form and a first sight of the racing techniques and playbooks that each team have been honing over the last three years of preparation.

Four days of non-stop racing with four flights per day will ensue and the one-race final will be contested between the top two ranked teams, with the top team getting the, arguably favored, port tack entry on the start line.

But then the slate is wiped clean for the Louis Vuitton Cup which begins on August 29 to advance who among the five Challengers will compete in the 37th Match. The intention will be for races in the Double Round Robin to be approximately 23 minutes long with time limits of 12 minutes for the first leg and 45 minutes for the entire race applying.

The Louis Vuitton Cup Double Round Robin series is scheduled to run through to a conclusion on September 8 with three reserve days penciled in if required through to September 11, and with one team eliminated, the top four Challengers will go through to the semi-final knock-out stage.

Notably, the America’s Cup Defender is allowed to compete in the Round Robin stage, but then must sit out and wait for the selection of the Challenger to face in the 37th Match on October 12. In determining the top four Challengers, the results from all races during the Round Robin stage between a Challenger and the Defender will be ignored.

One interesting rule of note in the Preliminary Regatta Race instructions is that of Rule 7.1 where:
“A boat has one delay card in the Final Preliminary Regatta that it may be used to delay the starting time of that boat’s next scheduled start by 5 minutes, except a boat may not use their card for a race that has already been delayed under this SI 7.1. A boat wishing to use their card shall inform the Regatta Director prior to the Warning signal. The Regatta Director will then delay the start time of that race by at least 5minutes.”

In the Louis Vuitton Cup and the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup, this rule is amended with added time delay to read:
“A boat has one delay card in each stage of the Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Selection Series that it may be used to delay the starting time of that boat’s next scheduled start by 15 minutes. A boat wishing to use their delay card shall inform the Regatta Director prior to the Warning signal. The Regatta Director will then delay the start time of that race by at least 15 minutes.”

Since the 2021 America’s Cup when New Zealand successfully defended against Italy, all six teams are once again at the business end of their campaigns toward the 37th Match, and what may be the tightest battle ever in the 173-year history of the competition.

Details: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/

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 Challenger Selection Series
August 29-September 8: Double Round Robin
September 14-19: Semi Finals (Best of 9)
September 26-October 7: Finals (Best of 13)

2024 America’s Cup
October 12-21: 37th Match (Best of 13)

Additionally, 12 teams will compete in the 2024 Youth & Women’s America’s Cup.

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

Tags: America's Cup