Schedule set for America’s Cup events

The America’s Cup Events (ACE) have released the 2024 racing schedule which includes the dates for the final Preliminary Regatta along with revisions to the Challenger selection series and the Youth and Women’s America’s Cup. It will be a two month plan which climaxes with the 37th America’s Cup.

The ball gets rolling as all six America’s Cup teams compete in the final Preliminary Regatta on August 22-25, with this training event to provide the first time the new AC75s line up for competition.

All the preparation then gets put on the line for the Louis Vuitton Cup to select the Challenger as racing begins August 29 with a double round robin series that includes the Defender, Team New Zealand. However, the results from all races during the round robin stage between a Challenger and the Defender will not count towards the rankings for this stage.

This stage is scheduled to finish on September 8 and will be the last time the Kiwi team will race the against the Challengers before the 37th America’s Cup Match.

The leading four Challengers from the round robin series then advance to the semi-finals on September 14-19, with the top qualifier to select their opponent, and in each half of the semi-final draw, it’s a first-to-five, best of nine race format.

The top teams in each semi-final pair then face off in a best-of-thirteen (first to seven) final series planned for September 26-October 7. The winner earns the right to compete in the 37th America’s Cup Match.

The format for the 37th America’s Cup Match itself is also a best-of-thirteen races (first to seven) beginning October 12 with an expected conclusion by October 21, 2024. (Reserve days are scheduled for October 22 through to October 27 if required.)

“This is almost certainly the highest Challenger standard seen in the America’s Cup in the past 25 years and the winner will be battle-hardened having come through the white-hot intensity of the Louis Vuitton Cup,” observed Grant Dalton, CEO of Emirates Team New Zealand and ACE.

“For Emirates Team New Zealand, we will have seen the competitiveness early in the Round Robin stage, but it will be a very different and interesting challenge for us to overcome when it comes to the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Match. It’s going to be a classic Cup contest.”

Running alongside this racing schedule will be the Youth and Women’s America’s Cup regattas:

September 17-26: Youth America’s Cup
October 5-13: Women’s America’s Cup

Each event has the same format with the fleet split into two groups of six boats for an eight race opening series. The top three boats in each group come together for a four-race fleet-race to decide the top two boats in each series.

The Youth America’s Cup final – a one race, winner-takes-all shoot out is scheduled to take place between Races 1 and Race 2 of the Challenger selection series on September 26. The Women’s America’s Cup final  is initially scheduled to be held in between Race 3 and Race 4 of the 37th America’s Cup Match on October 13.

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 opened December 1, 2021 and runs until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup may be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the venue reveal, confirming it would be 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/
Additional details: www.americascup.com/en/home