September 18, 2023
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September 17, 2023. Race Day 3 - Preliminary regatta of the 37 America's Cup in Vilanova i la Geltrú from 14th to 17th September.
37th America's Cup: New York Yacht Club American Magic declared the winners of the first Preliminary Regatta in Vilanova i La Geltrú
With NYYC American topping the final series standings after a simply stunning day where they took their chances, front-ran like demons and sailed incredibly smoothly, it was all-on for the Match race Grand Final against Emirates Team New Zealand.
The Kiwis had been the team to beat all regatta. Their speed and execution of manoeuvres was widely viewed as the blueprint for AC40 sailing and in foiling conditions, these two outstanding syndicates of the 37th America’s Cup would have been hard to split.
Unfortunately, with the seconds ticking down on the start, the wind shut down and first Emirates Team New Zealand splashed down to displacement, quickly followed by NYYC American Magic. Indeed, the Kiwis struggled even to start correctly, copping a number of penalties but as both boats headed upwind, the battle was against the clock. With a ten minute time-limit to reach the first gate and with the crews desperately trying every trick to try and coax their boat up on the foils, speeds dropped to around 5-7 knots and the flow just wouldn’t stick. The only option for the Race Committee was to abandon the Match Race Grand Final and thereby award the first Preliminary Regatta of the 37th America’s Cup to New York Yacht Club American Magic.
To read the full race report, please visit the America’s Cup website.