Boats of the America's Cup 2024

The 37th America's Cup or America's Cup of 2024 will be held in Barcelona and we will see the best boats competing.

The excellence of the port facilities, the variety of areas dedicated to the competition, the city's experience in organizing major sporting events, the local enthusiasm for nautical sports and the rich educational and entertainment offer it provides, are the main reasons for its welcome.

What boats are participating?

The America's Cup boats are known as "AC75 class racing yachts". These are monohulls, which means they have a single hull, unlike the catamarans used in previous editions of the America's Cup.

These yachts are equipped with "foils" or retractable ailerons that allow them to rise above the water to reduce drag and increase speed.

America's Cup yachts are known for incorporating cutting-edge technologies.

Teams employ advanced electronics, hydraulics and aerodynamics to optimize the performance of their boats.

Although there are strict rules governing the dimensions and characteristics of AC75s, teams have some flexibility in design to encourage innovation and strategic competition.

The six boats of the America's Cup 2024

Emirates Team New Zealand

This is the defending team, i.e. the current holder of the America's Cup. This team is the oldest of the participating teams (1987), is from New Zealand as its name suggests and represents the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. The leader of this team and of the America's Cup is Great Dalton; and Peter Burling is the skipper.

The defending champions are based between the World Trace Center and the Columbus Monument. The base has two floors and an area of 1,400 square meters, with a berthing area of 45 square meters.

New Zealand has been a constant presence in the contemporary America's Cup era since 1987, presenting innovative and daring challengers that came close to victory in 1987, 1988 and 1992.

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli

It is one of the strongest America's Cup boats. It comes from Italy and was founded in 1999. It is recognized for its outstanding presence in the America's Cup, as it has participated in six editions, this would be its seventh. Specifically, last year, it was a finalist together with Team New Zealand. Of those participating in this edition, it is undoubtedly one of those that has participated the most in this competition.

However, it has also participated in equally challenging sailing events. He took second place in the Fastnet Race in 2009 aboard the STP65 "Luna Rossa", with which he also won the Middle Sea Race that same year. In addition, he was part of the Audi MedCup Circuit in 2010 competing in the TP52 class and triumphed in the 2011 Extreme Sailing Series at the helm of an Extreme 40.

This boat represents Circolo della Vela Sicilia, its owner is Patrizio Bertelli, its leader is Max Sirenas and its helmsmen James Spithill and Franceso Bruni. The Italians, meanwhile, have opted for a base further away from the port, staying at the west end of the entrance, just below the Barcelona Nautical Center.

Alinghi Red Bull Racing

Hailing from Switzerland, it was founded in 2000. The Alinghi sailing team represents the Geneva Nautical Society.

This team has stood out as the winner of the America's Cup both in Auckland (New Zealand) in 2003 and in Valencia (Spain) in 2007. In both instances, it prevailed over Team New Zealand of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. And it can boast of being the only European club in history to have managed to win the Americas' Cup.

After a couple of editions away, it is back thanks to Red Bull (its new and main sponsor) and Ernesto Bertarelli, its founder. Its skipper, Arnaud Psarophaghis makes his debut in this competition. The Swiss will be located near the Barcelona Aquarium and the Maremagnum shopping center.

INEOS Britannia

Is the America's Cup Challenger of Record boat, i.e. the team that first submits a challenge to compete against the defending team. It works closely with the defending team to coordinate and organize the event and acts on behalf of the challenging teams to ensure that their interests are represented and respected throughout the process.

It was founded in 2012 and represents the Royal Comwall Yacht Club in the UK. Its skipper, is Olympic medalist, Ben Ainslie, who is one of the most decorated sailing athletes in history.

He is not the only medalist who is part of this team, as a few months ago in Palma de Mallorca they were trained by the Spaniard Xabi Fernandez. They are currently based at the Moll d'Espanya, the coach parking area in front of the superyacht berthing facility adjacent to the IMAX.

NYYC American Magic

American set that was founded in 2017 and represents the New York Yacht Club. It was created to compete in the America's Cup 2021, so the next edition, would be its second participation in this tournament.

As in the previous edition, her skipper is Terry Hutchinson and Tom Slingsby her helmsman. It faces this edition with the clear objective of regaining the trophy, as its founding club has been one of the important and victorious teams in previous editions.

Their base will be located at the Marina Barcelona 92 facilities, close to the lively promenade, a natural vantage point for the Cup races.

Orient Express Racing Team

This last America's Cup boat is the former K-Challenge, the French team has been re-founded in 2022, representing the Saint-Tropez sailing society.

The last participation of the French K-Challenge was in 2007, 15 years later the founders of that team (Ortwin and Stephan Kandler) joined Bruno Dubois to resume the participation of the French boat.

They will be guided by Quentin Delapierre and Kevin Peponnet, who will be the skippers; and will be based at the Moll de Ponent. The area is on the other side of the harbor, west of the World Trade Center, at the Grimaldi Lines dock.

The America's Cup promises to be an unforgettable regatta, where skill and passion are found in every wave. From September to December 2023 the teams are training, having several preliminary regattas.

August 22, 2024 will be the official opening date of the America's Cup 2024, and we are looking forward to the wind in our sails and the excitement on the ho