The America’s Cup lands in Barcelona in the summer of 2024 to once again attract everyone’s attention to the city. Over the last 140 years, Barcelona has been growing thanks to the celebration of major international events, and after the resounding success of the Olympic Games, it is now doing so again with the 37th edition of the America’s Cup.
But, what is the America’s Cup? We tell you in 10 notes.
1. The America’s Cup is the oldest sports competition in the world.
Although it is not as well known as the Olympic Games or the World Cup, at least in our European environment, the America’s Cup is the competition that has been held for the longest time. The first edition was held in 1851, although it does not have a regular calendar. Since then, it has been played periodically, but with more or less frequency. Don’t worry if you don’t understand it much now. We will explain it better to you a little later.
2. The curious operation of the America’s Cup
When a team wins an edition of the America’s Cup, it has to wait to be challenged by another team to compete again. This operation is due to the origin of the competition.
In 1851, the 1st Universal Exhibition took place in England and two North American sailors, crossed the Atlantic in 17 days to present a schooner that they had developed with the best technology of the time. On the Isle of Wight, near Southampton, they competed against the 14 most powerful British boats at the time in a match race. And they swept.
And the winners themselves decided to create a competition to see who could snatch victory from them. 20 years passed until the next match race was held, since no boat had the necessary technology to be able to challenge, with any possibility of victory, American superiority.
3. Why is the America’s Cup called the America’s Cup?
The winning schooner was called America, and that’s why
the competition is called like that. The America’s Cup is called that because “America” was the winner of the 100 Guinea Cup , the trophy won by the winner of that first race. The schooner America became its owner in 1851 and that is why the competition is called the America’s Cup.
4. There is no second here.
This is the motto of the competition, which also has its origins in the first race. It appears that Queen Victoria was one of the spectators, and when the America was almost reaching the finish line, she asked what ship it was. They answered that it was America. She then asked who was going second. There is no second, they replied, since the distance from it was enormous. So that ended up being the motto.
5. Only 4 countries have won the America’s Cup.
And 36 editions have already been held. The one in Barcelona will be number 37. That’s why we talk about AC37. And only 4 countries have achieved victory. The one that has done it the most times, and with an overwhelming difference, has been the United States, which has won 29 times. In fact, since the first edition in 1851, in which the 100 Guineas Cup crossed the Atlantic, it did not change territory until 1983.
The other winning countries have been Australia on one occasion, New Zealand, where sailing is a national sport along with rugby, on 4 occasions, and Switzerland, on 2 occasions.
6. You read that right, Switzerland.
Although it may seem incredible, right? Well, yes, Switzerland has been the winner of the America’s Cup on two occasions, in 2003 and 2007. And this is the reason why the America’s Cup was held in Valencia in 2007 and 2010.
In the founding rules of the race, established in 1851 as Deed of Gift of the America’s Cup, which although they are not very extensive are still maintained, it is established that the competition must be held in open water, that is neither in lakes nor in rivers, but in the sea.
So, when Switzerland was challenged to defend the cup after winning in 2003, it was forced to look for a venue on the open sea. And, among several candidates, the city chosen was Valencia.
7. But, who wins the America’s Cup?
Well, the truth is that the crew’s strategy is significant, but what determines the winner is the technology of the boats. And this technology is marked by the investment in R&D that is made in it. Throughout history, it has been the great family fortunes that have spent money on improving this technology to compete for the glory of being the owner, at least for a time, of the America’s Cup.
And that is what happened in 2003, when a Swiss billionaire signed the 5 best members of the New Zealand team, the winner of the 2000 edition, and managed to become champion in Auckland.
8. Why will Barcelona be the headquarters of AC37?
In fact, the last winner of the America’s Cup, in 2021 was New Zealand, which will be the defender of the cup in Barcelona. After being challenged by Ineos Britannia, the New Zealand government was not willing to face the investment necessary to hold the race. So, for the 3rd time in history, they had to find a city where it could be celebrated.
And the chosen city was Barcelona, which, starting in mid-September, will begin hosting the qualifying match races for the grand final that will be held between October 12 and 20.
9. More than a competition.
The AC37 will be the first time that a women’s America’s Cup will be held, the Puig Women’s America’s Cup, in which all competing crews will be made up of women.
And the 3rd edition of the Unicredit Young America’s Cup, will also be held, in which crews cannot be over 23 years old.
10. How do the match races work?
In fact, there will be 6 boats competing to win the AC37, but only 2 can compete in the final regatta.
For some years now, a series of preliminary match races have been held, the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup, in which the participating boats, except for the one holding the Cup, compete against each other to determine which of them will compete in the Grand Final.
Starting in August, these races will begin to be held off the coast of Barcelona, on a race field located between the Olympic Port and the W Hotel. There, it will be determined which team will compete against New Zealand for the 100 Guineas Cup, from October 12, 2024.
If you are planning to visit Barcelona before, during or after the celebration of the 37th America’s Cup, let us accompany you to discover the city with one of our private guided tours.
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