36th America’s Cup to begin March 10

Auckland, New Zealand (March 5, 2021) – The first race of the 36th America’s Cup Match will start shortly after 4:00 pm (NZT) on March 10 after the Government announced a reduction in alert levels today.

New Zealand has a 4-level COVID-19 Alert System with each Alert Level defining what measures are taken.

The government initiated a seven day lockdown on February 28, with Auckland shifting from level 1 to level 3 with the rest of the country moving to level 2. This postponed the start of the first race on March 6, but the country will now exit the lockdown after a small community outbreak of COVID-19 was contained.

Auckland’s alert level will drop to 2 from 3 at 6:00 am local time on March 7, while the remainder of New Zealand will move to level 1, meaning people no longer have to observe social distancing or limit the size of gatherings.

Under COVID-19 Alert Level 2 or 1, the race schedule will remain as planned with two races per day on March 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, and each day after that. The current schedule has racing every day until either the Defender Emirates Team New Zealand or the Challenger Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli reaches 7 wins.

Any changes to this schedule will need to be agreed between both teams.

RACING UNDER LEVEL 2
Racing under Level 2 will be restricted to only be sailed on either Race Course A or E.
(Under COVID-19 Alert Level 1 all courses will become an option to race on for the Regatta Director again.)

IN THE RACE VILLAGE IN LEVEL 2
Under Level 2, the bars, cafés and restaurants and other retail outlets within the America’s Cup Race Village will open, and operate within Ministry of Health guidelines. Entertainment, LIVE racing on the Big Screens, and activations are unable to operate until we move back into Level 1.

More information:
• America’s Cup format, standings, and how to watch online: click here.
• Complete America’s Cup coverage: click here
• Additional America’s Cup information: click here