Vilanova i la Geltrú will be this weekend, September 16 and 17, the epicenter of international nautical sports events. The town hosts the first preliminary regatta of the America’s Cup of sailing that will be held in Barcelona in 2024. The test, the most important in sailing, is known as the Formula 1 of the sea due to the speed of the boats and its spectacular nature.
What is the Preliminary Regatta
The Copa del América will be held in 2024 in Barcelonabut first three preliminary regattas are held that pit the six participating teams against each other: Team New Zealand (the current champion, known as Defender)Ineos Britannia (Great Britain, the Challenging), Luna Rossa (Italy), Alinghi (Switzerland), American Magic (United States) and Orient Express (France). The one in Vilanova is the first preliminary and will illustrate the first differences regarding the pending work for the 2024 competition. The teams will compete again between November 29 and December 3 in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and in August 2024 in Barcelona.
Where and when the regattas are held
On the coast of Vilanova i la Geltrú (Barcelona), on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The regattas can be watched from the beach with free access and without entry. The City Council will have giant screens to facilitate monitoring of the race. The Race Village, located in front of the Yacht Club, will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Saturday and from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Competition format
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The test is set at various fleet races, where the six teams line up together on the starting line. At least three regattas will be held on Saturday (waiting to see if the organization includes some of the tests suspended on Friday due to bad weather), and on Sunday, two more. The winner of each regatta gets 10 points, 7 for second, 5 for third, 3 for fourth, 2 for fifth and 1 for sixth. The top two finishers after completing all the tests will face each other in the final on Sunday.
Type of boats
The competition is held with uniquely designed boats: the AC40, the class with foils [las aletas inferiores que levantan el barco utilizando los mismo principios físicos que las alas de un avión cuando cogen velocidad] newest in the world, which is close to 50 knots. The name responds to the length of its length, 40 feet (12 meters). This model is smaller than the AC75, which will be used in Barcelona
How to get to Vilanova
The use of private vehicles and parking are limited, so access by train is the best option. Renfe plans to offer 24,000 additional seats on trains stopping in Vilanova. The company will increase the usual offer on Saturday and Sunday between 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. and from 6 p.m. and ensures “an average frequency of ten minutes” at peak times, it reported in a statement. The Rodalies lines that connect Barcelona and Vilanova are: R2 Sud, R13, R14, R15, R16 and R17.
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Originally Posted on elpais.com