The Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup was a brilliant festival of sailing, celebration and the vibrant culture of the host city, Barcelona. Port Vell Marina and marinas along the coast were filled with motor yachts and superyachts both privately owned and chartered for the duration of the Cup, which began with the Preliminary round 22 August.
This edition welcomed the addition of the next generation of sailors and a women’s competition: the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup and Puig Women’s America’s Cup – both trophies won by the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli teams. Australia competed in both as Andoo Team Australia and demonstrated amazing skill and tenacity, but it wasn’t to be, and they were bundled out before the finals.
The city of Barcelona put on a remarkable show and extended to all visitors their warm, Catalonian hospitality. Thousands of boats enjoyed the racing around the perimeter of the racecourse, as well as attending the lively events on shore.
Like all international events, America’s Cup every four years attracts an impressive number of cruising vessels: the Cannes Film Festival, Formula 1 Grand Prix events in Monaco, Singapore and Abu Dhabi, just to name a few.
Barcelona’s success and the flow-on effects of tourism, trade and investment, bode well for Australia hosting the 2032 Olympic Games.
No stranger to major events like the Rugby and Football World Cups, the Commonwealth Games and Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Australia is preparing for an anticipated wave of international superyachts and migration from other states ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games. Investment in marina berths and other infrastructure is top of mind for industry and government, as the Sunshine State works to achieve agreed milestones in the seven-year countdown until The Games.
Let’s hope it follows in Barcelona’s wake and it’s smooth sailing in the lead up to 2032.
