The America’s Cup returns to New York Harbor for the first time in almost a century. The two-day event on May 7 and 8 unveiled details of its highly anticipated race program, public event village, activity schedule, and local charity initiatives.
The Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series racing is a multi-day sailing event which will feature the world’s best sailors, racing the fastest boats, in front of the backdrop of New York’s iconic harbor and landmarks. Additionally, for the first time, the America’s Cup will be bringing stateside its non-profit AC Endeavour program for partnerships with three area youth sailing organizations.
On both Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, May 8, the epicenter of the race festivities will be Battery Park City and the Brookfield Place Waterfront Plaza. All races will finish just off the plaza, which will be home to one central event village. Thousands of spectators are expected to watch the race, either on land along the pier or from hundreds of spectator boats on the water near the race course.
Six teams, each sailing on behalf of a home country (defending champion ORACLE TEAM USA, Emirates Team New Zealand, Land Rover BAR for Great Britain, Artemis Racing for Sweden, SoftBank Team Japan, and Groupama Team France) will compete in the New York race, reaching speeds up to 40 miles per hour. The teams participating in the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series will vie for points counting toward the final competition for the 35th America’s Cup in Bermuda in 2017.
Racing will take place from 2 -3:30 p.m. on both Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, May 8. The New York winner will be announced Sunday. The race will take place off Battery Park City and the Brookfield Place Waterfront Plaza, where organizers expect up to 20,000 spectators. The plaza will also be home to a central event village. The event is free, and no tickets are required.
“The Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series is a celebrated homecoming for the America’s Cup, which was held in New York for 50 years, representing the sport’s first 13 challenges,” said Sir Russell Coutts, Chief Executive Officer of the America's Cup Event Authority. “The trophy was held by the New York Yacht Club from 1851 until 1983, widely recognized as the longest winning streak in the sport. When America’s Cup sailing returns in May, spectators will witness the latest, exciting iteration of the sport - an awe-inspiring blend of athleticism, technological advancement and keen awareness of nature.”
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