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Barcelona, Spain (September 25, 2024) – It is the moment of truth for the America’s Cup Challengers as Great Britain and Italy face off tomorrow in the Louis Vuitton Cup Final, a best of 13 match to determine who will face off against defender New Zealand in the 37th America’s Cup.

After the Brits finished their semi-final match against the Swiss on September 18, and the Italians a day later against USA, these two foes have been sharpening their swords for a rematch that saw Italy win in 2021, only to lose the 36th Match.

The format for the 2024 Louis Vuitton Cup is simple: the first team to win seven races secures the Challenger slot. Neither team has won the America’s Cup.

For Great Britain, their record goes back to the very start of the competition in 1851, arguably an aberration in the nation’s sailing history, and it’s a fact that drives skipper Ben Ainslie.

“It’s a huge motivation, we all know the history of the America’s Cup, for us we’re a very proud maritime nation and technically the America’s Cup started in British waters around the Isle of Wight and famously we’ve never seen it since, so this is the motivation for our team.”

Meanwhile for Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, so close to challenging successfully in recent America’s Cup events, this time it feels very much in reach.

“We all know that in Italy the America’s Cup is a dream,” noted helm Francesco Bruni. “We have been chasing that dream for many years – even before I was born – and we have a chance now and we need to use this ‘bullet’.”

Weather forecasts are showing some ‘sporty’ conditions for the opening two races tomorrow. Early forecasts suggest a 15-17 knot south westerly ‘Garbi’ but the key factor could be the sea state, with an expected swell height of between 0.9 to 1.3 meters from the south. Racing starts off Barcelona at 1410 CET.

Viewing details – Race information – Results – Weather forecast

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 Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Selection Series*
August 29-September 9: Double Round Robin
September 14-19: Semi Finals (Best of 9)
September 26-October 7: Finals (Best of 13)

*Team New Zealand competes in the round robin stage only, but the results of their races were not included in the challenger leaderboard.

2024 America’s Cup
October 12-27: 37th Match (Best of 13)

For competition details, click here.

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

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

Source: ACE

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