Canada in mix for Youth, Women’s AC

With the Women’s and Youth America’s Cup Regattas to be held during the 37th America’s Cup, formal invitations to yacht clubs around the world began distribution on February 1, 2023.

To date, expressions of interest have been strong with yacht clubs from thirteen countries inquiring, some with established pools of Women’s and Youth talent, others with start up teams looking to step up into the big time in one or both of the events.

With the six confirmed teams competing in the America’s Cup sealing the first six places in the Women’s and Youth events, the organizers have offered six remaining places in each event.

Initial invitations are being sent to three clubs that have registered interest for both regattas: Royal Vancouver Yacht Club (CAN) for AC40 Team Canada; a joint entry from the Royal Netherlands Yacht Club and the Royal Maas Yacht Club (NED) for DutchSail; and the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona (ESP) for Sail Team BCN.

That will leave three slots in the Youth America’s Cup and three in the Women’s America’s Cup and further invitations will be issued once an analysis of the remaining Expressions of Interest is complete.

Racing will take place in the AC40s which will be sailed in one-design format with every component equalized. Shoreside, the teams will be based at Port Olimpic in the heart of the Barcelona beachfront.

As to the format for the Women’s & Youth America’s Cup events, the fleets will be split where possible with the confirmed teams for AC37 forming one pool for each event and the invited yacht club teams competing in another pool.

The racing initially will be three fleet races a day for three days and then the top three teams in each qualify for a four-race series amongst the top six teams to decide the top two. These successful teams will then go head-to-head in a match-race to decide the outright winner of each event.

“To win the Women’s or Youth America’s Cup, teams are going to have to display incredible team-work, race-craft and foiling ability,” remarked Grant Dalton, CEO of America’s Cup Event. “It’s a fantastic platform for the next generation and I urge the teams that have now received invitations to make the most of what promises to be a spectacle like no other for their Women’s & Youth programs.”

For additional details, click here.

Following the publication of the AC37 Protocol and AC75 Class Rule on November 17, 2021, the AC75 Class Rule and AC Technical Regulations were finalized on March 17, 2022. The entry period opened December 1, 2021 and runs until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup may be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the venue reveal, confirming it would be Barcelona on March 30, 2022. The 37th America’s Cup will be held in September/October 2024.

Teams revealed to challenge defender Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL):
• INEOS Britannia (GBR)
• Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI)
• Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA)
• NYYC American Magic (USA)
• K-Challenge Racing (FRA)

Noticeboard: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/
Additional details: www.americascup.com/en/home