America’s Cup: Captivated by history

Yacht designer and past Seahorse magazine editor Julian Everitt gets philosophical in this Facebook post about why the America’s Cup is of interest:

The America’s Cup is unique. A unique sporting event in any discipline. It matches a technology race, management skills, sailing ability, sporting prowess and all condensed into a one on one confrontation that, originally at least, was a match between nations.

It is a bit like a boxing match where the design of the gloves is even more important in the outcome than the skill of the boxers. To liken it to Fomula One is wholly inaccurate and barely does it justice. Formula One is a money no object design and technology led sport, like the AC, but it’s not a match race event.

America’s Cup was the perfect platform to test technology, design skill, naval architecture and, to a certain extent, building skills. In the sailing world, the only events that have ever come close to emulating this were the Ton Cups and the Admiral’s Cup, but even they were perversely effected by the idiosyncrasies of rating rules.

Since 1930, with the exception of one event, the America’s Cup has benefited from stable and very clever rules – the J Class, the 12 Metre, and the IAAC. These cleverly subtle rules have endured through 18 America’s Cup cycles and have produced some great racing.

Today’s America’s Cup is not a reflection or even a development of this ethos. It’s a completely different, albeit exciting, formula. But it is only successful, that is if it is ever deemed to have been successful, because it ‘borrowed’ the America’s Cup label.

Ultimately audiences don’t watch anything just for the technology, the personalities, the excitement, or even the sport itself. They, whether we like it or not, are captivated by history. That’s the driving force from Wimbledon to Le Man – from the Masters to the Olympics. It’s the event that’s king. Not the boats, not the people, not the technology – not even the money, although this has it’s very own fatal attraction to the truly global sporting events.

So, today’s America’s Cup, do us all a favor and continue to try and respect the history of this unique sport and you just might keep an audience that supports your vision – until that vision is challenged on the water.

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)

For more schedule details, click here.
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