TNZ get prime spot for Barcelona base
Team New Zealand have selected some prime Barcelona real estate for their base to defend the America’s Cup in the Spanish city in 2024.
The base allocations are under way as infrastructure for yachting’s pinnacle event quickly comes into play in the Port Vell area on the waterfront zone of the bustling city.
Team New Zealand, as holders of the America’s Cup, had the honour of picking their base area first and selected the World Trade Centre site at the western end of the official America’s Cup race village.
The World Trade Centre zone was opened in 1999 and features a structure made up of four buildings, inspired by the shape of a boat surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. The area also handles cruise ships. The America’s Cup Event authority will be housed there.
Team Britannia, as challengers of record, have selected the IMAX base, next to the Real Club Nautico de Barcelona, one of the most prestigious yacht clubs in the world, and set close by to the eastern end of the America’s Cup village for maximum fan exposure and engagement.
There are six bases in the plan with only five teams announced. There has been speculation a French team will sail in this edition.
The bases are allocated in the order that challenges were accepted. Authorities are now in consultation with Alinghi, Luna Rossa and American Magic in that order.
Teams are expected to populate their bases progressively between October 2022 and April 2023.
The zone also has a large area for super yachts.
The base allocations continue a busy period for the America’s Cup. The rules for the women’s and youth events have been published, and the first of the new smaller AC40 foiling monohulls to be used in these two events and also as test platforms for the syndicates, is close to coming off the production line.