The America's Cup e-Series culminated today in a groundbreaking event that blurred the lines between the virtual and real worlds of sailing. eSailingCentral (Liam Dimock, New Zealand, 14) and Booshify (Robbie Wooldridge, New Zealand, 19), the top two finishers in the inaugural e-Series championship, took on the NYYC American Magic Women's Team in the unprecedented "Gamer to Sailor" race, held on the waters of Barcelona.

The journey began weeks ago with the launch of the America's Cup e-Series, the first-ever esports league for sailing's most prestigious competition.

Thousands of virtual sailors from around the globe competed in intense online qualifying rounds, culminating in a thrilling Grand Final event where eSailingCentral emerged as champion, with Booshify securing a commendable second place.

But the competition didn't end there. In a bold move to showcase the realism of the AC Sailing game and the transferable skills of virtual sailors, the top two e-Series finishers embarked on an intensive three-day training program.

Under the expert guidance of Emirates Team New Zealand, they received comprehensive safety briefings, honed their skills in cutting-edge simulators, and observed real AC40 racing firsthand, gaining valuable insights from experienced sailors.

Finally, they stepped aboard the high-performance AC40 yachts themselves, putting their virtual training into practice under the watchful eyes of their coaches.

"It was incredible to see how quickly Liam and Robbie adapted to the real AC40," said Dan Bernasconi, Emirates Team New Zealand’s Technical Director. "Their understanding of the boat and their tactical awareness were impressive, a testament to the skills they developed through the e-Series and AC Sailing."

A milestone moment for the America’s Cup

Today, the culmination of their training arrived as they put their newly acquired skills to the test, facing off against the talented NYYC American Magic Women's Team in a thrilling exhibition race.

The race was incredibly tight from the start, with the e-Series champions showcasing their newly acquired skills by grabbing an early lead and securing the first lap win. However, the tide turned during the second lap as the gamers, pushing their limits, fell off the foils. The NYYC American Magic Women’s Team seized the opportunity, taking the lead and ultimately securing victory in the "Gamer to Sailor" race.

“Racing an AC40 has been an experience unlike anything I could have imagined. The speed, the power, the feeling of the wind – it's been just incredible” said e-Series champion Liam Dimock.

“The simulator definitely prepared me for the tactical side of things, but nothing compares to the real deal. Huge thanks to the AC Sailing developers and the America’s Cup for making this dream a reality”.

"This was the vision from the very beginning," said Grant Dalton, CEO of the America's Cup Event. "We wanted to create a game so real, so immersive, that the skills learned in the virtual world could translate directly to the water. The 'Gamer to Sailor' race is a testament to the power of technology and the passion of a new generation of sailors."

The 'Gamer to Sailor' race marks a significant milestone in the evolution of sailing, demonstrating the potential of esports to inspire and engage a new generation of sailors and fans.

The America's Cup e-Series has not only showcased the excitement of virtual racing but has also opened up a pathway for gamers to experience the thrill of real-world competition, proving that the skills honed in the digital world can translate into real-life success.