America’s Cup
03082022. NEWS. PHOTO: America’s Cup Where the America’s Cup bases for Barcelona 2024 will be housed.
Team New Zealand have selected some prime Barcelona real estate for their base to defend the America’s Cup in the Spanish city in 2024.
The base allocations are under way as infrastructure for yachting’s pinnacle event quickly comes into play in the Port Vell area on the waterfront zone of the bustling city.
Team New Zealand, as holder of the America’s Cup, had the honour of picking their base area first and selected the World Trade Centre site at the western end of the official America’s Cup race village.
EMIRATES TEAM NEW ZEALAND
Vibrant Spanish city offers ideal infrastructure and sailing conditions.
The World Trade Centre zone was opened in 1999 and features an iconic structure made up of four buildings, inspired by the shape of a boat surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. The area also handles cruise ships. The America’s Cup Event authority will be housed there.
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“It’s very nice to have first option but to be perfectly honest any of the base sites would have worked perfectly for us. The port authority have been first-class in helping us get to this point in such a tight timescale and their commitment to the America’s Cup is unparalleled,” Kevin Shoebridge, Team New Zealand’s chief operating officer, said.
Team Britannia, as challenger of record, have selected the IMAX base, next to the Real Club Nautico de Barcelona, one of the most prestigious yacht clubs in the world, and set close by to the eastern end of the America’s Cup village for maximum fan exposure and engagement.
There are six bases in the plan with only five teams announced. There has been speculation a French team will sail in this edition.
The bases are allocated in the order that challenges were accepted. Authorities are now in consultation with Alinghi, Luna Rossa, and American Magic in that strict order.
America’s Cup
Port Vell will house a busy America’s Cup zone for Barcelona 2024.
Teams are expected to populate their bases progressively between October 2022 and April 2023.
“I cannot speak highly enough of the work and commitment that has gone into getting us to this point with the Port de Barcelona,” Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton said.
“All of the bases are located in the Barcelona Port Vell area along with the dedicated America’s Cup race village, hospitality and fan zone areas which will create an amazing atmosphere in the lead up to and during the event.”
The zone also has a large area for super yachts.
The base allocations continue a busy period for the America’s Cup. The rules for the women’s and youth events have been published, and the first of the new smaller AC40 foiling monohulls to be used in these two events and also as test platforms for the syndicates, is close to coming off the production line.
Team New Zealand will be the first to receive an AC40.
