Please select your home edition
Edition
Mackay Boats 728x90 TOP

America's Cup: Vilanova to host first AC37 Preliminary Regatta for 2023

by America's Cup Media 17 Mar 2023 02:45 PDT 14-17 September 2023
Pendennis Marina at Vilanova © YachtShot.com

The historic Catalonian port of Vilanova i la Geltrú, has today been announced as the Host Venue for the first Preliminary Regatta of the 37th America’s Cup, with racing to take place over four days between 14-17th September 2023 in the world’s most exciting new foiling class – the AC40.

Just 45 kilometres southwest along the coast from America’s Cup Host Venue Barcelona, Vilanova i la Geltrú will proudly represent the region of Catalonia and Spain as the starting point of the 37th America’s Cup cycle. Racing will see a mix of both fleet and match-racing with the six confirmed entries for the America’s Cup all represented and will be conducted in the area outside the port entrance affording both a perfect viewing gallery and wide fan engagement opportunities.

As the first regatta on the journey to AC37 in Barcelona, the eyes of the world will be on the beautiful town of Vilanova i la Geltrú with all racing broadcast free-to-air through a dedicated America’s Cup television production. The regatta will offer the world a first glimpse of what can be expected when the Youth & Women’s America’s Cup races begin in earnest in September and October 2024 in Barcelona and will be the first time the AC40 fleet will race each other over both fleet and match-racing courses.

“The Port of Vilanova i la Geltrú, is perfectly set up to host the first Preliminary Event of AC37 with everything in such close proximity to the race course,” said America’s Cup Event CEO Grant Dalton. “Racing will be just metres from the port entrance and prime viewing places will be offered from the La Daurada alongside huge public areas for a great fan village. The magnificent facilities of Pendennis Vilanova and Vilanova Grand Marina will serve as the technical area which will host the team bases and their AC40’s and, of course, we will be proud to align with the Club Nàutic Vilanova as the local yacht club for the event.”

Albert Castellanos, Secretary for Business and Competitiveness of the Department of Business and Employment of the Generalitat de Catalunya further added: "The confirmation of Vilanova i la Geltrú as the venue for the first Preliminary Regatta of the 37th America's Cup-Barcelona 2024 is great news that confirms the commitment of the organisation to bring the sport of sailing to the whole territory, projecting our image to hundreds of millions of people around the world", he said.

The Club Nàutic Vilanova is lending its support to the regatta with its world-class facilities and infrastructure. In addition, the La Daurada restaurant and event venue, La Daurada, will become a focal point with its space of more than 10,000 square metres overlooking the regatta course for the press centre and hospitality facilities.

In contrast to the America’s Cup itself, raced in purpose-built AC75’s and a design race of innovation and technology, the Vilanova i la Geltrú preliminary regatta will be sailed in the fleet of AC40’s in strict One Design class measurement as will be used for the Youth and Women’s America’s Cups. This will see the boats equally matched and the winner will be decided on sailing technique and foiling race-craft. It will give the world a first opportunity to see the America’s Cup elite teams in action and provide an opening narrative and indication of where each team is at in this America’s Cup cycle.

Catalonia, as a region, is rightly proud of being the hosts for the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona and speaking about the announcement of Vilanova i la Geltrú as the Host Venue for the Preliminary Regatta, the mayoress of Vilanova, Olga Arnau, expressed her "pride and the great opportunity it represents to host the first regatta before the America's Cup 2024.” She further added: “I am sure that our town will be a fantastic venue for the competition in the eyes of the world.”

Furthermore, Eduard Torres, from Barcelona Tourism, stressed the importance of this first regatta taking place in Vilanova i la Geltrú as a clear expression of the role that the Barcelona brand plays and can play beyond its geographical limits. “Barcelona exercises its capital status from the conviction of being a gateway and from the Consortium we work to promote and give maximum projection to the dynamism and vitality of an entire territory dedicated to the sea and sailing. Barcelona is the capital of the Mediterranean and must be shown in all its splendour.”

On behalf of the Fundació Barcelona Capital Nàutica, the foundation that co-ordinates the host institutions of the 37th America's Cup Barcelona 2024, the President of its Executive Committee, Daniel Puig, commented: “We can say that the Preliminary Regatta in Vilanova is the first milestone of the America's Cup Arrival Projects Plan that we are working on together with all the administrations and the private sector so that Barcelona and Catalonia become world sailing capitals with the maximum positive impact for citizens.”

Related Articles

America's Cup: Luna Rossa to sail for Naples club.
Italian Challenger Luna Rossa will contest the next America's Cup as the team of a Naples club. Italian Challenger Luna Rossa will contest its seventh America's Cup as the team of the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia of Naples, as club that is new to the America's Cup. Posted on 10 Jul
America's Cup: French back "Kiwi" Protocol
K-Challenge tell Brits to sign Kiwi Protocol. Cup to be sailed before the end of 2025. Last weekend's missive from the French America's Cup challenge team is further evidence over the building frustration with progress towards the 2027 America's Cup in Naples. Posted on 6 Jul
K-Challenge gives opinion on proposed Protocol
Why the 38th edition could usher in a new era for the America's Cup Stephan Kandler and Bruno Dubois, Co-CEOs of K-Challenge, jointly stated: “The provisional Protocol published on 23 May 2025 by Defender Emirates Team New Zealand is an important step forward for the America's Cup." Posted on 4 Jul
America's Cup: Confidential settlement reached
(Updated) A confidential settlement reached over five year Cup legal claims. Confidential settlement reached between the America's Cup team Emirates Team New Zealand and their formerly contracted Event Managers, Mayo & Calder, and others associated with the company. But what of Mainstream Media's role in the affair? Posted on 29 Jun
America's Cup - #3 Finish Line
The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. The Cup is still undecided. And somewhere, in one last simulation, the universe holds its breath. Step into the last leg. This is where legends break — or rise. Posted on 23 Jun
Cup Spy: "Burling Rule" unlikely to be changed
The Defender is unlikely to soften the Rules and allow open season on its sailing team. Despite the shift of three times America's Cup winner, Peter Burling it is understood that there is unlikely to be any softening of the Nationality rule to enable Burling to get any closer to the action than a chase-boat in the 38th America's Cup. Posted on 20 Jun
Burling "excited' by Italian move
In a media statement issued by his Media Team, Burling says he remains fully committed to his role w In a media statement issued by his Media Team, Burling says he remains fully committed to his role with Black Foils, the New Zealand SailGP Team. Posted on 20 Jun
America's Cup: Kiwis advertising for key people
Emirates Team NZ seeking new people for key roles ahead of its 12th America's Cup campaign Emirates Team New Zealand, the current America's Cup champion is gearing up for the 2027 Defence of the most prestigious trophy in sailing. The team has advertised eight positions in the IT, Meteorology and Engineering areas Posted on 12 Jun
America's Cup: Another sponsor signs for Italians
Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team and will accompany it as an official sponsor for the duration of the 38th America's Cup. Posted on 5 Jun
America's Cup fillibustered by Challengers
A Cup in turmoil - Protocol is unsigned - with entries due to open on Sunday. Updated story: America's Cup got underway in Rome on Monday, with Round 2 of the official welcoming ceremonies on Wednesday in Naples. However three teams are working in collusion and have again issued statements within minutes of each other. Posted on 29 May
Maritimo M600Hyde Sails 2024 - One DesignRS Sailing 2021 - FOOTER