Chartering our yacht for a day (or more) or booking a day ticket is your opportunity to watch the finest racing yachts in the world race in the waters of the Mediterranean, at a sporting event like no other. The America’s Cup is the oldest sporting trophy in the world, the 2007 finale racing will be the first time it has been held in Europe for 155 years.
Photo: Tony Abbott
From onboard at the Port America’s Cup Marina we start by watching the procession of racing yachts as they are towed to the start area. This photo was taken from the marina pontoon where we see Team Spain (Iberdrola) under tow in the marina channel.
Following close behind, we would then motor to one of the spectator viewing areas, ready for the off. The America’s Cup yachts will parade through the spectator fleet, providing ample photo opportunities, and the chance for you to appreciate, at close quarters, the style, speed, and grace of their design.
With constant information updates over VHF radio, the imminent start is heralded by the arrival of the photo-shoot helicopters overhead.
If you have chartered for the fleet race (only in the first few days of April) you will see all the yachts cross the startline (including the current Cup holder, Alinghi). If you have chartered for a match racing day, three race matches (of two yachts each) will start, typically within the space of 30 minutes.
Having watched the start, we will then motor to one of the course turning points, lunching en route. As the racing yachts round the turning buoys they change their racing style — either raising or lowering their spinnakers accordingly. One slip or mis-timing at this point and a race can be won or lost.
Photo:Tony Abbott
Motoring to the designated finishing line we then wait for the competitors to finish, after which they again parade through the fleet of spectating yachts. Here we see Areva, who at the end of her race purposely turned towards us to give us this photo shot.
There is then an opportunity for us to sail for about an hour and a half, before returning to Port America’s Cup Marina for early evening (and the entertainment within the marina complex).