VILANOVA i LA GELTRÚ ANNOUNCED AS HOST VENUE FOR FIRST AC37 PRELIMINARY REGATTA IN SEPTEMBER 2023
The historic Catalonian port of Vilanova i la Geltrú, has today been announced as the Host Venue for the first Preliminary Regatta of the 37th America’s Cup, with racing to take place over four days between 14-17th September 2023 in the world’s most exciting new foiling class – the AC40.
Just 45 kilometres south-west along the coast from America’s Cup Host Venue Barcelona, Vilanova i la Geltrú will proudly represent the region of Catalonia and Spain as the starting point of the 37th America’s Cup cycle. Racing will see a mix of both fleet and match-racing with the six confirmed entries for the America’s Cup all represented, and will be conducted in the area outside the port entrance affording both a perfect viewing gallery and wide fan engagement opportunities.
As the first regatta on the journey to AC37 in Barcelona, the eyes of the world will be on the beautiful town of Vilanova i la Geltrú with all racing broadcast free-to-air through a dedicated America’s Cup television production. The regatta will offer the world a first glimpse of what can be expected when the Youth & Women’s America’s Cup races begin in earnest in September and October 2024 in Barcelona and will be the first time the AC40 fleet will race each other over both fleet and match-racing courses.
The Port of Vilanova i la Geltrú, is perfectly set up to host the first Preliminary Event of AC37 with everything in such close proximity to the race course,” said America’s Cup Event CEO Grant Dalton. “Racing will be just metres from the port entrance and prime viewing places will be offered from the La Daurada alongside huge public areas for a great fan village. The magnificent facilities of Pendennis Vilanova and Vilanova Grand Marina will serve as the technical area which will host the team bases and their AC40’s and, of course, we will be proud to align with the Club Nàutic Vilanova as the local yacht club for the event.”
Albert Castellanos, Secretary for Business and Competitiveness of the Department of Business and Employment of the Generalitat de Catalunya further added: “The confirmation of Vilanova i la Geltrú as the venue for the first Preliminary Regatta of the 37th America’s Cup-Barcelona 2024 is great news that confirms the commitment of the organisation to bring the sport of sailing to the whole territory, projecting our image to hundreds of millions of people around the world”, he said.
The Club Nàutic Vilanova is lending its support to the regatta with its world-class facilities and infrastructure. In addition, the La Daurada restaurant and event venue, La Daurada, will become a focal point with its space of more than 10,000 square metres overlooking the regatta course for the press centre and hospitality facilities.
