Preparations are done - 37th America's Cup Preliminary Regatta ready for action

Back on earth again and taking to the stage were Peter Burling, America’s Cup winning skipper of the Defender Emirates Team New Zealand, Sir Ben Ainslie, CEO of the Challenger of Record INEOS Britannia, Francesco Bruni helmsman of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, Paul Goodison helmsman of NYYC American Magic, Quentin Delapierre, skipper of Orient Express Racing Team and Arnaud Psarofaghis, skipper of Alinghi Red Bull Racing.

Peter Burling was looking forward to the racing beginning in the AC75s and gave an insight into the new levels of performance we can expect from the latest generation boats, saying:

“It’s been over three years since we last raced in the AC75’s. All the teams got a little taste of competition this cycle with the AC40’s but the AC75 has got to a whole other level in this cycle. In that three years development doesn’t stop, everyone’s been working incredibly hard in developing the boats, pushing the levels they can achieve around the racetrack and that’s exactly what you’ll see over the next month of the racing.

“The regatta makes sense, it’s always been in the Protocol. It’s really a chance for the teams to get through their processes and get ready to race. It’s starting up a big machine this week which is incredibly exciting for the sailors but also the buzz in the sailing community of finally being able to see these boats sailing again, so we are really looking forward to getting out and racing.”

Sir Ben Ainslie, whose team today confirmed that Dylan Fletcher – the current International Moth World Champion – would replace Giles Scott as co-helm, commented on the switch, saying:

“We’re really fortunate to have a strong sailing squad and it was always our plan to rotate. We are very fortunate to have the strength in depth with Dyan and Giles….and It’s no reflection on Giles, he’s an incredible talent and the way he’s stepped up since that decision and the leadership he’s shown has been exceptional and says a lot about him as a person. I’m really excited to be sailing with Dylan for the first time in this competition, I think it’s an exciting line-up.”

A final practice racing session sailed in winds from eight to 21 knots of breeze saw all six teams competing on the waters off the Barcelona city front. With practice racing now completed the teams’ attention now turns to tomorrow’s opening day of the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta, when four match races are scheduled starting at 14:00 CET.

Text and images courtesy of The America’s Cup. To read the full release, go to americascup.com.