America’s Cup, here is the regatta “tasting” schedule
The 36th US Cup Race Village in Oakland has officially opened, and it’s impressive to see everyone without masks. The result of a New Zealand coating that puts health and safety first.
The start was in the first light of day, along the Auckland harbor Viaduct and in the Wynyard district with a small ceremony that witnessed Maori blessing. After that, official speeches. So it was Secretary Stuart Nash and Mayor Phil Goff, then Francesco Longanesi Catani, representing the record challenger, in the presence of our Ambassador to New Zealand Francesco Calogero, US Deputy Ambassador Kevin Covert and Consul. Robin Shackle, Governor-General of Pitcairn Island. Then Bruno Trabel, captain of France, creator of the Louis Vuitton Cup, member of the House of Representatives, presented the four teams: Team Ineos UK with Sir Ben Ainslie, New York Yacht Club American Magic with captain Terry Hutchinson, helmsman Dean Barker and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli with captain Max Sirena, helmsmen Francesco Bruni and James Spithill and finally Defender Emirates Team New Zealand with the entire sailing team.
“The village is now open, and this is a milestone: completing the work in the many challenging and unforeseen circumstances that occurred, respecting deadlines and deadlines without compromising the high quality standards to which we have held, has been a huge success. Longanesi Cattani said – on behalf of Patrizio Bertelli, CEO of Prada Group – I would like to express his appreciation, Thanks and congratulations to all employees, teams and suppliers who contributed to this success.”
Then, Grant Dalton, CEO of Emirates Team New Zealand: “It is really a pleasure to look around and see the village open and ready. So that the public can enjoy all that is great about Auckland, New Zealand and the America’s Cup in the coming months. Now it’s time to start racing.”
At the end of the party, the four teams are back in the water for a final day of free practice before the Prada ACWS Auckland Race begins from Thursday 17 December to Saturday 19, followed by the Prada Christmas Race on Sunday 20. Of course, the calendar. The match starts on the 17th (the night between Wednesday and Thursday for Italy) with Luna Rossa vs Team New Zealand (15.12 now New Zealand), America Magic vs Ineos (15.50), Ineos vs Luna Rossa (16.40) and American Magic Team New Zealand (17.20). Race Village opens at 9am and closes at 11pm Auckland time too.