The America’s Cup returns to Europe. And in New Zealand they take it very badly

Do you remember what a spectacle the 2005 Acts in Trapani and the 2007 America’s Cup in Valencia were? These were unforgettable events that were well attended by the public. And now, finally, the announcement. America’s Cup, the world’s oldest sports trophy, returns to Europe. Back to Mediterranean. We anticipated that Barcelona had all the makings of hosting the 37th edition of the Cup. The officialdom is here (and as we explain below, in New Zealand the news was taken horribly badly).

Yesterday was the official announcement on the America’s Cup website, in which last year’s winning defender (to Luna Rossa’s detriment) Emirates Team New Zealand, together with the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron confirmed that the venue for the next Cup will be the Catalan city and that racing will be scheduled between September and October 2024.

“Barcelona will host the 37th America’s Cup sailing event. Vamos Barcelona!!!!“. This was the Instagram post by Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli skipper Max Sirena, who hinted that it is a welcome destination for the Italian team that will participate under the colors of the Circolo della Vela Sicilia.

WHY BARCELONA…

“When we think about the 37th America’s Cup and the AC75s racing just a few hundred meters from the Barcelona beach, waterfront and race village, the fan involvement will be nothing short of spectacular,” remarked Grant Dalton, CEO of the defender ETNZL.

Which explains the choice of Barcelona as follows: “Barcelona is a leading city in terms of sustainability and social impact, with ambitions to become the digital and technological capital of Europe, so the fellowship with the America’s Cup is clear. Its existing racing facilities, team bases, technical infrastructure, superyachts, and America’s Cup event village areas to accommodate fans, hospitality, and media, as well as an average wind range of 9-15 knots during the September and October window, make the city an ideal location for the event“.

… AND NOT NEW ZEALAND?

This is not the first time that the defender’s chosen venue for the America’s Cup has not matched his home country. Think, for example, of the 2007 and 2010 editions, where the Swiss Alinghi chose Valencia: in this case, the choice was dictated by the objective difficulties of bringing an event of this magnitude to tiny Switzerland.

Instead, the New Zealanders’ choice is purely economic in nature. Dalton’s words are clear: “As Defender of the America’s Cup, we have always felt a responsibility to grow the event, the public and the sport of sailing on a global scale.” Moving abroad, kiwis would have the possibility of having more money available to baste a worthy campaign.

After the $136 million put on the table for the 36th America’s Cup, the New Zealand government stopped at $99 million for edition number 37. This did not sit well with Team New Zealand, which preferred to look abroad: Barcelona, Malaga, Jeddah (in the United Arab Emirates) and Cork, Ireland.

IN NEW ZEALAND THEY TOOK IT VERY BADLY

At home they did not take it well: “I probably feel the same way as many New Zealanders. I am disappointed in the decision that has been made about where the America’s Cup will be held. As a government we have certainly allocated sufficient funds to house you here. We wanted it to be hosted here“. This was the statement of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern reported in the New Zealand Herald newspaper. “We wanted it to be here because New Zealand considers it a national event. I don’t think any other country in the world treats the America’s Cup the way we do“.

But “heart” is not enough. Grant Dalton Team New Zealand CEO Dalton had stated that the only chance for New Zealand to win the America’s Cup again was to take it “offshore.”

Put yourself in the shoes of New Zealanders. Think about it for a moment: it’s like Italy winning the World Cup by taking home the rights to organize the next edition, and then the Football Federation selling the event to a country as far away as Australia. You’d be a little bit turned around, right? But the Cup is the Cup.

ALL AGAINST TEAM NEW ZEALAND

Now it is time to think about racing, with the race to prepare the new flying boats. Peter Burling and co. will have to defend the title from a fine parterre de roi of fierce opponents: Baronet Ben Ainslie’s Ineos Britannia, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (captained by Max Sirena, we will soon know who will be at the helm), the Swiss of Alinghi and American Magic.

E.R.

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