It’s just two months now before the America’s Cup world descends on the beautiful port city of Vilanova i La Geltrú, the capital of the Garraf region of Catalonia, for the first Preliminary Regatta on the road to the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona.
The six America’s Cup teams will be de-camping to the venue from their bases in Barcelona with their pure one design AC40s being the weapon of choice for a mixture of desperately close fleet racing before match racing (one-on-one) will decide the eventual winners. It’s the first time in this Cup cycle that we will see the teams competing against each other and will give an early indication of form.
A good result in Vilanova i La Geltrú has the ability to catapult a team’s morale, and this is something not lost on Grant Dalton, CEO of America’s Cup Events as he said: “This is really important. This is the start of the business end of the America’s Cup and will give a lot of pointers as to where all the teams are at and where the work needs to be done. I’m expecting the regatta to reward consistency and with everyone at a very high level now, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.”
Vilanova i La Geltrú is one of the hidden gems of Spain fusing cutting edge modern facilities around the port area with outstanding 19th century-built buildings in the city. It’s a busy and bustling place with some of the most beautiful beaches in Catalonia offering the perfect vantage point for spectators to watch the America’s Cup action. The host yacht club, Club Nàutic Vilanova, opened its new modern clubhouse in 2020 but has a rich yachting and maritime history that dates back to 1920 whilst the Pendennis Marina provides full facilities for the superyacht fraternity and some 800 moorings for yachts and motorboats.
The race village, which will be free for all spectators, will be located just opposite the yacht club to the east and will feature team activations, shops, food stations and big screens to catch the event. The Ribes Roges beach to the west of the clubhouse will be just perfect for spectators to see the AC40’s flying around at eye-watering speeds and is again, free to all. The team bases will be located at the entrance of the port just south of the fabulous 10,000 square metre La Daurada with its array of restaurants, bars, and nightlife for those that want to soak up the unique America’s Cup atmosphere in luxury.
The Preliminary Regatta will run from the 14th to the 17th September with the America’s Cup race village opening at 11am daily ahead of the team dock-outs at between 12.30pm and 1.30pm. Racing will commence around 3.30pm and, depending on the conditions, will be concluded by around 5.30pm. The Race Village will kick into gear from 6pm through to 8pm with sailor presentations and reviews of the racing.
For those that want to stroll up into the city and explore, Vilanova i La Geltrú is a feast of culture and cuisine with the popular Llotja restaurant serving some of the finest, locally caught, fish dishes delivered straight from the fishermen in the dock. The Vilanova prawns are world renowned but best to book this popular restaurant. For those who wish to visit the museums in Vilanova there’s the Museu del Ferrocarril de Catalunya which is the most visited in the town but also there’s the Victor Balaguer Museum Library which has been declared as a museum of national interest and the Espai Far museum which celebrates the connection between the city and the sea.
A stroll up the tree-lined Ramblas in Vilanova i La Geltrú reveals a world of shopping and outside dining whilst a visit to the neo-classical, palm-tree lined Plaza de la Villa, one of the most romantic and beautiful squares in Spain is a must-see for visitors. Down near the marina area visitors can also stroll along the wide elevated walkway and view the fabulous fountain and whale-tail displays whilst connecting with the sea below as it laps the port breakwaters.
Vilanova i La Geltrú promises something for everyone and the first Preliminary Regatta on the road to the 37th America’s Cup is set to be a stunning spectacle with the finest sailors in the world going head-to-head for the first time. Reputations will be made and lost. The pecking order will be established and some of the closest racing ever seen will be undertaken aboard the equally matched AC40s – the most exciting new foiling class in the world today. The countdown clock is ticking.