AC37 – Vilanova!

America’s Cup 37 – Preliminary Regatta.

The 37th America’s Cup international sailing competition will include an interesting twist!  Traditionally, the defending team and challengers design, build, and race against each other in a yacht that adheres to a general set of rules allowing for proprietary innovations.  This tradition will continue for AC37, but before that phase of racing, the teams will compete using identical forty-foot foiling monohulls called America’s Cup 40 (AC40).  This boat was designed by the defending team Emirates Team New Zealand) and is built in China by McConaghy Boat Works.  Most of the teams have purchased and commissioned two of these $3 million yachts and will use them before the AC37 event in a series of preliminary races starting in Vilanova Spain.  After AC37, these yachts will be used for youth and women’s team training and competition and an international private owner racing circuit.

The Vilanova Preliminary Regatta.

This regatta is unique in that each of the six teams will be racing identical AC40 yachts.  Of note, AC40 yachts have never raced against each other outside of the team training setting. That means the outcome of this regatta will truly reflect the skill of the teams at operating and maneuvering this stunning new class of foiling monohulls.

American Magic has been sailing their first AC40 since taking delivery in Pensacola.

What to Expect!

According to the AC37 protocol, the preliminary regattas consist of:

• September 14 – Practice Racing
• September 15 – 3 Fleet Races
• September 16 – 3 Fleet Races
• September 17 – 2 Fleet Races; 1 Match Race Final

How to See It!

If you are in Vilanova, you can position yourself relative to the race track.

The rest of us will be watching the racing streamed live from the AC37 website or the AC37 Youtube channel.

Sail Pensacola will project this stream to fans gathered at Seville Quarter Watch Party in Pensacola.  We will stream our live watch party to the Sail Pensacola Youtube page and will include extras not available from the AC37 feed including: video shout-outs from Pensacola fans, celebrity well wishes, and fan interviews.  In addition, Sail Pensacola will roll out the first expanded product line of American Magic-branded apparel from Helly Hansen!

Hometown Engagement!

Sailing is not known for fan activation like you see with professional baseball, football, hockey and most other professional sports.  Sail Pensacola aims to break new ground with getting fans engaged with American Magic sailors, boats and events.

The Fandom Future

Sail Pensacola has organized a community engagement task force to explore, plan, and execute activities that engage hometown fans.

This watch party is the first version of that team’s plans.  Stay tuned for what’s next!

OUR GOAL: Engage supporters of American Magic by developing symmetric interactions that are interpretive, supportive, and give our hometown team the boost they need to bring home the Cup!

#SailingIsOurBusiness!

#SailPensacola

If you want to mark you calendar for the event, hit the button below!