New Zealand picks up where they left off

Barcelona, Spain (August 25, 2024) – It was Team New Zealand spraying the Moët & Chandon champagne as winners of the final America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta held August 22-25. Aside from a loss to the USA on the final day, the Kiwi defenders are still setting the bar for others to chase.

Following the round robin series, New Zealand and Italy as the top two teams, advanced to the winner-take-all final match race. The wind had dropped during the day, and while changes to the AC75 were to improve light air flight, the one-meter waves were proving to be a compounding variable, but the Kiwis minimized mistakes for the victory.

“I think just incredibly challenging to sail in those conditions, we had a fair few issues we were managing on the boat, but we lucked-out in the pre-start and got a penalty on them,” noted Kiwi skipper Peter Burling. “I was amazed the second penalty got turned off when it did with them still ahead of us – but then to stick to our guns and make a pass from there was really pleasing.

“We were expecting it to be tight and we were struggling to get the shifts right, but it’s going to be a close regatta. It’s all about making sure you get the phases right and sail the boat in the right places. I think we were a little frustrated with how we sailed today but plenty to go back and have a look at afterwards.”

After rudder issues kept New York Yacht Club American Magic from their race against the French on the penultimate day, they rallied back to provide New Zealand’s only defeat.

“It was really satisfying the way we sailed today,” noted USA helm Paul Goodison. “We were very disappointed yesterday to miss out on racing with the French and to come out today get a win is just great.

“It’s especially satisfying to do that in the lighter trickier conditions we are more expecting to see as we move through this competition. To be able to perform well in those conditions and to race well as a team was a big, big, win for the team.”

Skipper and President of Sailing operations at NYYC American Magic, Terry Hutchinson, came ashore happy with the win against Emirates Team New Zealand but laser-focused on the challenges ahead.

“The way the guys sailed today was really consistent and it was everything that we’ve been talking about, so we have an almost vertical learning curve of improvement in front of us which is really encouraging because you can see the potential of ‘Patriot’ and you can see the potential of our team,” noted Hutchinson.

“We’ve just got to keep chipping along and getting it all together. It’s hard not to be happy, but we still got third, so if you win a couple battles but don’t win the war you’ve got to keep the bigger picture in mind and I think that’s what we will do.”

All eyes are now on the Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Selection Series, starting on August 29th where every race and every point matters.

Viewing details – Race information – Weather forecast

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)

Races start at 14:00 CET (08:00 ET) and run until 16:30 or 17:00, depending on the schedule.

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 was from December 1, 2021 until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup could be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the reveal, finally confirming 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 competition details, click here.

Additionally, 12 teams will compete in the 2024 Youth & Women’s America’s Cup.

Noticeboard: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/
Event details: www.americascup.com/en/home