Light day for ACWS in New York

New York, NY (May 7, 2016) – The America’s Cup returned to New York and the Hudson River for the first time in nearly a century on Saturday, to the delight of tens of thousands of fans who came out to see what the new America’s Cup was all about.

What they saw, after a delay due to light winds, was exceptional racing tucked in close to throngs of cheering spectators along the shoreline with lead changes, tactical passing moves and the fast, foiling, flying AC45 catamarans racing in the New York edition of the America’s Cup World Series.

The racing took place during an extended race window and was designated a “substitute race”. It will only be scored if it is needed for inclusion in the international broadcast on Sunday. SoftBank Team Japan was the winner.

“It was fantastic given how many people turned out today to be able to get a race in and put on a show. It’s a remarkable experience to sail on the Hudson River with so many people watching us,” Japan skipper Dean Barker said.

And he was philosophical about the race maybe not counting on the leaderboard.

“Every race we do, we learn. We’d love for the win to count, but on the other hand, if we come out tomorrow and have three good races, that would be just as valuable for us as a team.”

The forecast for Sunday has winds in the 15-20 knot range, which is the sweet spot for high-stakes action in the new America’s Cup boats and would produce the greatest action the Hudson River has seen.

“We’re excited to have brought America’s Cup racing back to New York for the first time in nearly 100 years and to have been able to put on a tremendous show today for our in-venue fans,” said Commercial Commissioner Harvey Schiller.

“Taking advantage of the new “substitute race” rule means we have a race ready for our international audience tomorrow should conditions not allow racing.

“We would like to thank all of our fans who came to the venue and stayed to end to see the fabulous action. Make sure you come down or tune in on Sunday. We’ll have more great racing for you.”

Substitute Race Results:
1. SoftBank Team Japan
2. Artemis Racing
3. Groupama Team France
4. ORACLE TEAM USA
5. Land Rover BAR
6. Emirates Team New Zealand

These results will ONLY be scored if the race is used as a substitute for regular racing on Sunday at the START of the 2pm to 4pm race period. It will not be substituted after regular racing has been scored.

Event Website

Report by Event Media

About the America’s Cup
The America’s Cup is the oldest trophy in international sport, dating back to 1851, when the yacht America, after which the trophy is named, beat the best of the British fleet in a race around the Isle of Wight, U.K. The trophy won on that day was donated in trust through a Deed of Gift and has since become a symbol of immense achievement. It is perhaps the hardest trophy in sport to win. In it’s 165-year history, only four countries have managed to win the America’s Cup.

The America’s Cup is currently held by the Golden Gate Yacht Club in San Francisco, U.S.A.. On September 25, 2013, its team, ORACLE TEAM USA, completed the biggest comeback in sports to retain the trophy it had first won in 2010.

On December 2, 2014, Bermuda was named as the home of the 35th America’s Cup, with the iconic Great Sound as the race course area where the new America’s Cup Class boats (15-meter, foiling, wing-sailed catamarans) from each competing nation will race for the America’s Cup in May/June 2017.

The America’s Cup is honored to partner with Louis Vuitton as the title partner of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series, the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Qualifiers and the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Challenger Playoffs. Louis Vuitton is also the presenting partner of the 35th America’s Cup Match, presented by Louis Vuitton.

The America’s Cup is also proud to be supported by BMW, Bremont, ORACLE, XL Catlin, the Bermuda Tourism Authority, Gosling’s, Sperry and Sail Racing; as well as: Appleby, BF&M, Butterfield, Butterfield & Vallis, Moët & Chandon, PwC and the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club and in New York by Brookfield Place.

America’s Cup updates are also available on your mobile device. Go to the App Store to download the official America’s Cup App.