Time For The America’s Cup
Photos Courtesy of 36th America’s Cup presented by Prada – © COR 36 | Studio Borlenghi
One hundred seventy years ago the oldest trophy in sport was won by Americans in a sailing race around the Isle of Wight in England. The boat that won the first race was called “America” and the trophy went back to the United States, where it stayed for 132 years from 1870 to 1980.
This year the 36th edition of the America’s Cup is being held in Auckland, New Zealand. The boat designs are different than the first race, but the principles of sailing still hold. The winner will be able to harness the wind’s energy and propel themselves to a worldwide victory in the greatest sailing race of them all.
It is said that in the first race, Queen Victoria, when told that “America” had placed first, asked the simple question that helps to define the America’s Cup, “Who is in second place?” The answer defines this race and represents the goal of every America’s Cup racer, “Your majesty, there is no second.”
The Boats:
The AC75 is the vessel they will be racing on. Take a look at the technology of a modern racing sailboat on americascup.com/en/ac75. 11 sailors on a vessel that is just under 70 feet long with a beam of approximately 16 feet. 3 sails, twin canting foils, in place of a keel, that span over 13 feet. The unprecedented design is entirely new. The AC75 is designed for speed. It’s a monohull that is as fast or faster than a multihull.
The Teams:
EMIRATES TEAM NEW ZEALAND
Peter Burling / Helmsman
New Zealand
LUNA ROSSA PRADA PIRELLI TEAM
Max Sirena / Team Director & Skipper
Italy
NEW YORK YACHT CLUB AMERICAN MAGIC
Terry Hutchinson / Executive Director & Skipper
United States
INEOS TEAM UK
Ben Ainslie / Team Principal & Skipper
United Kingdom
The Events:
PRADA AMERICA’S CUP WORLD SERIES AUCKLAND AND PRADA CHRISTMAS RACE
DECEMBER 17-20, 2020
https://www.americascup.com/en/acws/auckland
THE PRADA CUP
JAN 15 – FEB 22, 2021
https://www.americascup.com/en/prada-cup
AMERICA’S CUP
PRESENTED BY PRADA
MARCH 6-21, 2021
https://www.americascup.com/en/36-americascup
How To Watch
If we are being honest the ability to watch these events from the United States will be a challenge. From the 18 hour time difference between New Zealand and the United States and the NBC Sports Network rules on broadcast, there could be some hurdles. Check the America’s Cup Website for their “How To Watch” information.
America’s Cup statement:
“Fans of the America’s Cup all around the world will be able to enjoy coverage via all forms of media on every screen in 2020 and 2021. The primary objective of the live broadcast of the 36th America’s Cup is to make this the most viewed and accessible America’s Cup competition. To ensure both the most accessible and most complete live and highlights coverage from broadcasters in well over 120 territories, the 36th America’s Cup has partnered with free-to-air and pay networks. Further broadcaster deals will be announced in the coming days.”
With that said you will have to check with your local subscriber and your social media channels to see if the events are in actuality free or part of a subscription package.
The current AC action is available to view on UTube and NBCSN. Links from sailmakers like North don’t work. Sadly NZ is closed to visitors so spending $6K to visit and watch is not an option.