st. maarten america's cup sailboat racing

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America’s Cup Sailing Experience, St Maarten: RACING A 12-METER YACHT

I lean back, tightly gripping a rope, hanging over the edge of the boat.  The sail swings directly above my head.  I get drenched by ocean spray gusting in over me.  The boat tilts up at a dangerous angle, threatening to tip over; by hanging over the edge.

I lean back, tightly gripping a rope, hanging over the edge of the boat.  The sail swings directly above my head.  I get drenched by ocean spray gusting in over me. 

The boat tilts up at a dangerous angle, threatening to tip over; by hanging over the edge, I am helping it stay upright.  We lurch back down on even keel, and, following shouted instructions, I run to the winch and start rapidly “grinding”, adjusting the sail so it catches the wind.  We speed forward. 

Nearby, our rival inches slightly ahead and we put more effort into it, determined to win our race.  Our boat has competed in the America’s Cup, so we know it’s possible!

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America’s Cup Sailing Experience

I was working as a purser on a cruise ship in the Caribbean and one of the perks was the occasional free shore excursion, so we knew how to describe it accurately to guests.  One of our ports of call was Philipsburg which was the St Maarten cruise ship port. 

I love to be on  the water and row, sail and paddl e, so for me the most exciting of St Maarten’s excursions was the possibility to be a temporary crew member on a 12-meter yacht in a head to head race.  This is a common St Maarten shore excursion, but if you are staying on the island for your vacation, it is also easy to arrange.

There are three possible sail boats, and all of them are past America’s Cup winners or contenders.  They are longer than 12 meters – the length refers to some complicated formula I don’t understand (and don’t need to).  The three currently being used in St Maarten are:

• Stars & Stripes 87 (US-55) won the America’s Cup in 1987 against Australia’s Kookaburra III.
• True North I (KC-87) competed for Canada in the 1986 World Cup, having been designed especially for strong Australian winds.
• Canada II was designed for the 1987 America’s Cup (though it didn’t actually race in it).

Getting ready to race

The dockside offices of the company 12 meter Challenge are not far from the cruise ship jetty.  On arrival, we were divided into teams, given an introduction to the boats and the race and then shunted to the boats.

Two boats race head to head in a challenge.  I’d never sailed a boat before, but am a very competitive person, so I really wanted to win!  We were allowed to choose what we wanted to do and assigned a task of grinding (operating the winch), trimming sails, etc.  One of the options is to relax and not do too much, but the boat is tilting, the sail moving, the ocean spraying, the captain shouting, everyone’s moving around, so not participating isn’t that easy to do.  After getting further instructions on tactics, our roles, etc., we were off!

The “Challenge” Race Experience

It was a bright sunny day and with the sun shining and the blue water sparkling, and the beautiful Great Bay as the background, the setting was perfect.  We were on the water for almost three hours, but the time flew.

There were eighteen of us, plus three crew guiding us, and there was a real sense of camaraderie, as we worked together, grinding and trimming sails and leaning over the edge to keep the boat stable.  From the very beginning there was a real sense of the race and competition and there was never a calm moment, as we tacked, catching the wind and trying to get as much speed as possible.

It’s actually pretty exhausting and physical if you get into the whole grinding thing, but if you choose just to sit back and hang over the edge to keep the boat stable, it would be easier.

After the race

There is a winner – I won’t tell you if we won or not (OK, OK, we didn’t …), but it was still crazy fun.  Back at the dock, there is a rum punch party to celebrate the win (or commiserate the loss).

The verdict : Racing a 12-meter yacht

You do not have to be a sailor to enjoy this.  The adrenaline is pumping and it is a really exciting thing to do.  I highly recommend it as a St Maarten shore excursion if you visit on a cruise ship, or as an activity if you are vacationing on the island.

Book through your cruise line or directly with them .

Other things to do in Sint Maarten/ Saint Martin

There are 36 beaches on the island! Many of them have beautiful white sand. Highlights include Mullet Bay, Tintamarre Island and Grand Case Beach. Be sure to protect yourself from the sun! Check out the best beach umbrellas to take with you.

Need some captions for your beach photos? Check out these beach quotes and Insta captions .

There are a lot of other awesome experiences you can have in St. Maarten .  These will really make your vacation a unique travel experience.

How to get to Sint Maarten

The island is most commonly visited by cruise ships, but you can fly into Philipsburg/ Princess Juliana International Airport .

Check flights to St Maarten here .

How to get around St Maarten/ St Martin

The easiest way is to rent a car at the airport, which you can do here .

Book an airport transfer here .

Where to stay on St Maarten

There are plenty of hotel option on St Maarten/ St. Martin. Read my guide to Choosing the Best Hotel for tips on what to look for.

A cute place to stay is Mary’s Boon Beach Plantation Resort & Spa .

Check prices and availability here

Check out more hotels in Sint Maarten here.

Cruises that go to St. Maarten

Where is sint maarten and what is the currency.

This small island is half Dutch (Sint Maarten) and half French (Saint Martin). It is in the center of the Caribbean islands.

The official currency of Dutch St. Maarten is the Netherlands Antilles Guilder or florin (ANG). In French St. Martin, it is the euro. However, U.S. dollars are widely accepted on both sides of the island.

Check the current exchange rate here .

Visa requirements for St Maarten

For visa requirements, check out your home country’s official government visa websites:

• U.S.A. citizens
• Canadian citizens
• U.K. citizens
• Australian citizens

For citizens of other countries, use this helpful website (though it’s best to always check with the embassy as well). 

When is the best time to visit the Caribbean?

The best time to visit the Caribbean is winter: December to April.  The Caribbean weather is super pleasant then (it can get very hot in summer) and many people want to escape the northern winter.   (This is also when more passengers on the cruise ship that I worked on had missed flights due to snow storms on the north.)  This is also the dry season.

The rainy season is May to November.  Hurricane season is roughly July to October.

If you are staying on St Maarten/ Saint Martin rather than doing a cruise, hotel rates can be cheaper May to June and late November to mid-December.

Planning and packing for the Caribbean

If you are staying on the island and looking for more adventure than just relaxing on the beach, there is a useful guidebook that includes St Martin, which you can buy here . I also recommend reading my North America Travel Guide and using my step-by-step Trip Planner to help you through each stage of planning and preparing for your vacation.

When you are ready for your trip, check out my Essential Packing List . This is a general packing list. You should add beachwear, of course.

Additional consideration: Travel Insurance

You should never travel without travel insurance. For all the reasons – and what to think about when choosing coverage – read my guide to buying travel insurance .

A great insurance option is Travelex.  You can compare Travel Insurance plans here or get a quote right now:

Have a fantastic time!

Do you have any stories of the Caribbean? I’d love to hear them. Comment below.  

If you liked this post, please share the love and Pin it to your Caribbean board!

Read other boating/ rowing adventures:

• riding the river rapids through the Grand Canyon in a wooden boat, USA
• sea kayaking in Haida Gwaii (the Queen Charlotte Islands), Canada
• white water rafting in the Black Canyon, Peru

About the author

James Ian has traveled to 82 countries and all 7 continents.  He is passionate about experiential travel, i.e. meaningful travel that actively engages with the environment and culture.  He helps people have similar experiences that involve active participation in activities and festivals; engaging with the local food and handicrafts through lessons and food tours; and interacting positively with environment by hiking, riding, rowing, diving and low/no impact animal encounters. 

Travel Collecting is a participant in the Amazon Services.com LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

12 Metre Racing

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12 Metre Racing - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Excitement for the whole family

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Twelve Metre Regatta - YOU Could Be on This Boat

The fastest, most elegant racing yachts compete in the Americas Cup. Sleek high-tech machines, developed and maintained by budgets in the hundreds of millions of Dollars, are fighting for the highest honor in the sailing regatta world. These boats are called '12 Metres' after the technical formula for their design, with their actual 'length overall' being about 66 feet.

What happens to these thoroughbreds once they completed their campaigns? The surprising answer: They go to Sint Maarten to start a second life as part of the region's most exhilarating public water excursion! Yes, you too are invited to sail on legendary boats such as the American's Cup winner Stars & Stripes in a close race against their original nemesis.

Cruise lines named the 12 Metre Regatta as a top Caribbean excursion, and it's easy to see why: This is an activity suitable for the novice sailor, even children as young as nine years are allowed to come along. At the same time, any true sailing aficionado and even experienced sailors with a circumnavigation under their belt will yearn to get a feel for the most efficient sailing machines ever conceived.

Guests have the choice just to relax and to enjoy the ride... or to become an active part of the crew, trimming the sails, grinding the winches and doing their best to beat the competition in this true race.

To partake in a 12 Metre Regatta should be on the bucket list of anyone with love for the sea. Individuals can book a place, but the activity is also available to larger groups as special events. The docks of the 12 Metre Regatta are close to the cruise ship port in Point Blanche and behind Chesterfields Restaurant in Philipsburg.

Click here to visit the official website of the 12 Metre Regatta >>>

12 Metre Clubhouse 26 Juancho Yrasquin Blvd., Dock Maarten Marina Philipsburg, St. Maarten (view map).

Local: +1 721.542.0045 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

St. Maarten - St-Martin Boat Trips

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Experience a day cruise on an authentic cruising catamaran sailing yacht, with snorkeling stops and other water activities. Do you wish to be spoiled? Do you want to experience the feel of a private...

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Experiencing the tranquility of sailing through the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea should be part of all visits to the Antillean islands. The elegant luxury catamaran Phoenix is the latest...

Rhino Safari Excursions - Be Your Own Skipper

Experience on-the-water excitement piloting your very own two-man RHINO Watercraft to the best snorkeling spots. Three-time winner of the prestigious Tour of the Year Award by Princess Cruise lines...

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Renegades St. Maarten Luxury Charter

Inhale, exhale, sail Renegades Your dream sailing getaway in St. Maarten starts here. Welcome aboard Freedom, a brand-new custom catamaran and your own private paradise, where the Renegades...

Speed Boat Charters from Caribbean Marines

Take a 900 HP top-of-the-line speed boat to St. Maarten's most exotic locations and best snorkeling spots with Caribbean Marines. If you ever dreamed about a ride on a top-of-the-line powerboat, let...

St. Maarten 12 Metre Regatta

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Off the Races !

An exhilarating regatta aboard legendary 12 Metre class racing yachts. Join us for the sail of a lifetime in the azure waters off Great Bay , as we race for the longest standing trophy in sports history, the America’s Cup. Our expert crew will show you exactly what to do in your “crew member position”, then it’s off to the racecourse; grind a winch, trim a sail, punch a stopwatch, or just sit back relax and enjoy the complimentary refreshments.

For this unique adventure, a highlight of your vacation, previous sailing experience is not necessary. After the race, enjoy the complimentary victory rum punch party at our 12 Metre Clubhouse, while browsing our souvenir boutique. Voted #1 Shore Excursion experience in the Caribbean for 17 consecutive years.

Where to find the 12 Metre Regatta

You can buy tickets and embark in Bobby’s Marina, Philipsburg .

Find St. Maarten 12 Metre Regatta and other Sailing Activities on St Maarten / St Martin on our Interactive Map !

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12 Metre Challenge

Have you ever watched sailing regattas and wondered what it would be like to be in one during a race? Here's your chance to find out by booking this St. Maarten excursion !

During this two and a half hour tour you will board one of three yachts and be assigned a crew member's position. Your expert guide crew will show you exactly what to do and will be on hand every step of the way to ensure your safety and enjoyment. Head out to the race course and help move your yacht to victory as you trim a sail, grind a winch or punch a stopwatch. Alternatively you can choose to sit back and relax with water, canned soda or beer and breathe in the salty air as your yacht races along the course. Once back on land celebrate your victory with a refreshing beer or rum punch drink in the 12 Metre Yacht Club, visit the museum and pick up a souvenir or two in the shop.

Please Note: Guests must be able to board the yacht and not be prone to seasickness. The minimum age to participate is 9 years of age and guests must be at least 21 years of age to consume alcohol. Guests with limited mobility and children must be accompanied by a companion/adult and life jackets are available on the boat (not mandatory). This tour is not wheelchair/scooter/walker accessible. Price includes bottled beverages onboard the yachts and at the party; crew gratuity not included. Meals can be purchased near the club facility.

Home » Ports of Call » America’s Cup Regatta St. Maarten Review

America’s Cup Regatta St. Maarten Review

Our latest shore excursion review takes us back out into the water in a sailing challenge that is one of the most popular excursions in the Caribbean. Both the Princess and I manned our stations

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// america’s cup regatta st. maarten review, preparing to set sail.

After one failed attempt to complete this excursion a few years back due to weather conditions, the Princess and I were more than prepared to set sail on this adventure during our Eastern Caribbean cruise on Harmony of the Seas . Up early before the gangway opened, it was clear skies and very little wind, so all systems were a go for this race. With a couple of changes to our shore excursion day and time, due to an itinerary change, our America’s Cup Regatta race was scheduled to meet at 9:00am in front of the ship. Off the ship slightly after 8:30am, we were told to come back to the meeting point closer to the scheduled time. Taking a few shots of the ship and surrounding vessels, it was easy to kill a few minutes.

Back promptly at 9:00am, we met our fellow sailors. One couple owned their own sailboat, another gentleman had sailing experience, there was also a father and teenage son, and then us. This was going to be an interesting mix. When one other older couple showed up, everyone was checked in and ready to go. We left Harmony of the Seas to meet some additional cruisers from Jewel of the Seas docked in the terminal next to us. Grabbing these additional passengers, it was time to find our boats and head to the sea.

From here, it was a short walk over to the water taxi platform. There, we met another family of 3 who were staying at a local hotel and also embarking on this journey. A total of 17 “sailors” now had to be divided up into two groups to go head-to-head for bragging rights. Of course, before we could divide and conquer, David, our tour guide, gave us the history of the America’s Cup. Most notably, he spoke of the major comeback of Dennis Connor and the American ship, the Stars and Stripes, which would be one of the vessels sailing today.

With our history lesson complete and our adrenaline starting to mount, David picked 2 team captains and then assigned us each to a team. Apparently, the max number of participants on a yacht is 12, so both teams would be short staffed today. Our captain, Connie, who was sailing on Jewel of the Seas, just happened to live near us. What a small world. We did not get teamed up with the couple who owned a boat, but we did snag the other gentleman who had sailing experience. Perfect!

When the coin toss to decide who would get to man the Stars and Stripes did not go our way, our morale was not shaken. Our group would maneuver the Canada II, a speedy and sleek vessel, on to victory. With our cruise ship in the background, it was time to get this race started!

Setting Sail on Canada II

To get to our racing yachts, anchored out in Great Bay, we had to take a short water taxi ride. With the teams now seated on opposing sides of the ferry, we were introduced to our skippers, given some basic instructions, and handed waivers to sign. Our skipper for the day, Garrett, explained that jobs would be “active” or “inactive”, though since we were short staffed, the only real way to qualify for an “inactive” position was a medical injury or pregnancy.

Garrett sized us up and assigned each of us a job. While the Princess was adamant that she wanted the least “active” role, she was given the position of main sail trimmer. I was assigned to be one of 3 primary grinders. Not knowing what these tasks entailed just yet, we finally reached our yacht and were led into position onboard.

We then met the other crew members, Greg and Charlie, who also happened to be accomplished sailors. Throughout the race, the crew’s antics kept us entertained but focused on the prize of coming in first place.

Before getting started, everyone was instructed in his or her role and given time to practice the position while sailing down to the starting line. I never knew sailing took so much work. With a general sense of what to do now, the rules of the race and the course, as well as strategy, were described. Consisting of essentially three “legs” with some down time in between, or “drinking time”, it was go time for this challenge.

Starting the clock for our 6 minute “float out”, the race was on. From the beginning, we were behind, and during the hour long zigzag around these waters, we just never caught up. Maneuvering the sails back and forth and trying to steal some of the Stars and Stripes’ wind, we would close in on the boat at times but did not come out victorious in the end.

During this exhilarating race, we all got an A for effort! This unique shore excursion was fun but definitely more of a workout than I was expecting. Yes, even the Princess was moving her arms as fast as she could when instructed by Garrett, though she was not happy about it. Along with the two other primary grinders, I was the main manpower of this mission, which could be strenuous at times. I guess it doesn’t help that during the down times the crew is offering beer. You know, like the Olympic sailors do.

A Photo Finish

With the wind at your face and the sound of the boat cutting through the water, the America’s Cup Regatta Challenge is one of the most thrilling experiences that I have had in the Caribbean. These yachts can pick up some serious speed, but the heel is not as extreme as it looks. Even the Princess, who can’t swim, was comfortable enough without a life jacket (though they are available). And, no prior sailing experience is needed. This trip is all about having fun.

Finishing in second place, we transferred back to the water taxi and were delivered back to land at the Yacht Club for a rum punch and souvenirs. Crew t-shirts are available for purchase; of course, I would grab one of those. Of note, if you wear this t-shirt on a future sailing, you will score a new one for free. During the race, the safety boats also take professional pictures of the team. While a bit pricey, when else are you going to get photos of you actively sailing on a yacht?

With a new crew shirt and photo in hand, our 12 Metre Challenge was complete. Offering a total of four races a day (with a max of 5 during peak season), you can find a sailing time that fits your cruise schedule. This unique opportunity is also available in Cozumel, Mexico. We highly recommend this excursion for all cruisers. The staff were all top notch, friendly, and funny. Next time you are in St. Maarten, take your own shot at achieving the gold; you’ll be glad you did.

Have you competed in the America’s Cup Regatta race before? What is your favorite St. Maarten cruise excursion? Drop us an anchor below to share your adventures from your latest trip to St. Maarten.

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DB & The Princess

Welcome Aboard! We are Don and Heidi, the husband and wife travel team behind EatSleepCruise.com. We took our first cruise vacation together 13 years ago and have been hooked ever since. Follow along as we share our travel tips, cruise reviews, information on ports of call, and the latest cruise news to help you plan the ultimate cruise vacation. Are you ready to embark on your journey to “sea the world, one port at a time”?

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America's Cup

• America's Cup St Maarten

Racing an America’s Cup Sailing Boat Through the Caribbean

12 Metre Class race yachts were built between 1907 and 1987 when the last America’s Cup was sailed on this specification. The 1987 America’s Cup is considered by many people to be the most renowned of all time, but this story starts in 1983. Dennis Conner, who has already raised the cup twice.

St. Maarten America's Cup Regatta in the Caribbean, one of the most unique racings in the world.

The 12 Metre Yachts, historically “the greyhounds of the sea,” are beautifully sleek. America's Cup St. Maarten is one the most well-known and most prestigious regatta in the sport of sailing, and the oldest active trophy in international sports.

Why are they 12 meters? It allows fair competition between yachts that rate in the class while preserving the right to experiment with the features of their designs.  The 12 Metre Class Yachts are best known as the yacht design used in America's Cup St Maarten from 1958 to 1987.

Do you want to join this America's Cup Regatta St Maarten as a client? You can just sit back on the yacht and enjoy the sailing views, wind, and waves.

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Racing an America’s Cup Sailing Boat Through the Caribbean

I’ll be honest, most cruise ship excursions bore me. It just seems like there are always too many people that are being shuffled into large buses to an activity that sounded adventurous in the brochure, but instead turns into the equivalent of a kiddie ride at the local fair.

That was not the case today.

We were disembarking our overindulgent  Celebrity Cruise on the Caribbean island of St. Maarten to embark on a bit of a sleeker ride.

The adventurous afternoon excursion would have us sailing aboard an authentic America’s Cup regatta yacht as a crew member, competing in a light-hearted race where the only reward was bragging rights, and possibly a little extra rum punch.

The America’s Cup is a trophy that goes to the winner of a heated race between two of the best sailing boats, the defender and the challenger. America has the title of the longest winning streak in the sport, defending the cup 24 consecutive times, until 1983 when Australia was triumphant in breaking their series of victories.

The U.S. won the America’s Cup back in 1987.

For this cruise outing a group of us would be racing three retired America’s Cup regatta yachts: the Canada II , True North and Stars & Stripes .

All the teams, who were made up of mostly Americans, wanted to ride on the Stars & Stripes since it was the ship responsible for winning back the trophy from Australia after they had broken the U.S. winning streak. But, my group lost our chance after a fierce game of rock-paper-scissors. Damn you scissors.

We ended up  on True North, a sailboat built by Canadians.

Prior to boarding everyone was assigned a position based on their desired activity level.

Did you want this to be a leisurely sail or more physically demanding ride?

I chose the latter of the two and was appointed as a primary grinder, others were delegated to be main grinders and winch operators. Those who wanted a more relaxing position were assigned to tasks like being the bartender — not a bad gig in my eyes.

The four primary grinders, including myself, sat towards the front of the boat. We would be operating a pedestal with handle bars that protruded from the ground. It looked like simplistic machinery, but this equipment and position is the heart of the boat, it powers the sails and boom.

It is a physically demanding job.

When the captain yelled, “primary grinder, gear one, ready” we would get into position by grabbing onto the handles and placing our feet shoulder width apart.

When he said “Go”, the four of us would start cranking as fast as we could. Sometimes the rigorous rotation would last mere seconds and other times it left us pumping until our teeth were clenched and biceps started to ache.

Our efforts assisted the boat in turning in the direction needed to stay on course.

We raced through the choppy waters of Great Bay for three thrilling laps. The sails blew in the wind, water splashed onto the boat when it leaned to the side and our teams voices got louder with encouragement as we were trying to catch our competitors.

“We are gaining on them!” the captain yelled. And we pumped harder, but our attempt was futile.

In the end we came in third, otherwise known as last.

Both  Stars & Stripes and Canada II crossed the finish line before us, but not for lack of effort. Either way, it was an incredible afternoon well spent. It turned out to be a great addition as one of the top things to do before you die .

This America’s Cup Sailing Regatta is an excursion option when sailing to St. Maarten with Celebrity Cruises. You can also book direct through 12 Metre Challenge who sail in either St. Maarten or Cozumel.

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2 thoughts on “Racing an America’s Cup Sailing Boat Through the Caribbean”

Great post! I’m already familiar with a few of these blogs but looking forward to discover the rest.

It seems like a great adventure! I want to experience this.

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12 METRE RACING

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten

TRUE NORTH IV (KC-IV)

Length: 20.5 Metres (67.3 Feet)

Beam: 3.79 Metres (12.4 Feet)

Draft: 2.68 Metres (8.8 Feet)

Sail: 164 Sq. Metres (1765.3 Sq. Feet)

THE HISTORY

True North IV (affectionately referred to as "Ivy") incorporates numerous adjustments that her designer, Steve Killing felt would give her a leg up with regards to taking home the 1987 America’s Cup. In particular, she is longer on the waterline and carries additional weight for better speed and seaworthiness in the strong Australian winds for which she was built.  

At the time she was drawn, Ivy was a bold design move – displaying the longest waterline length of any 12 Metre Class vessel ever created. Sadly, Ivy never saw competition due to her Canadian syndicate lead by the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Club running into financial trouble during their campaign. Her abandoned hull was tracked down by Colin Percy, the founder of the St. Maarten 12 Metre Regatta. He took it upon himself to see her true purpose fulfilled, and to not have this piece of sailing history lost. Ivy arrived in Sint Maarten in May 1993, where she was completed and launched by the dedicated crew of 12 Metre Racing, and continues to be the true challenger she is.

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America's Cup Racing

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten

Activity Level

Excursion Type

Adventure,Local Sightseeing,18,All

Wheelchair Accessible

Starting At

Minimum Age

Information Not Currently Available

Meals Included

Meals not included

An outstanding Caribbean experience, the St Maarten America's Cup 12-Metre Racing offers you the only opportunity in the Caribbean to race an exotic multi-million-dollar America's Cup yacht.

Experience the exhilaration of America's Cup yacht racing aboard Dennis Conner's cup-winning Stars & Stripes or contenders Canada II or True North IV . You compete in an actual race around a shortened America's Cup course, and you're invited to work the boat. The experienced crew provides all the guidance you need to grind a winch, trim a sail, punch a stopwatch, or take the helm to drive the race boat. Or you can just sit back, relax and enjoy what is perhaps the most exclusive sporting event in the world. No previous sailing experience is required. All you need is a spirit of adventure and to be ready to have the time of your life.

Refreshments are provided, and a rum punch toast rounds off this spectacular event as you browse in the 12-Metre Regatta Boutique.

Wear comfortable, rubber-soled shoes. Bring cash/credit cards for the boutique. There are no restrooms on board the 12-meter yachts. Minimum age is 9 years.

AMERICA’S CUP ENTERS THE E-SPORTS ARENA WITH LAUNCH OF OFFICIAL GAME AND CHAMPIONSHIP

Watch America’s Cup sailors battle out for the first AC Sailing regatta

LIVE STREAMED ON TWITCH FROM BARCELONA AT 6:20 PM CET

LIVE STREAMED ON  TWITCH  FROM BARCELONA AT 6:20 PM CET

AC Sailing, the ultimate regatta simulator built on actual simulation technology used by America’s Cup teams, will be available for free download on Epic Store and Steam from today April 9 th , 19:00 CET

America’s Cup E-series will be the first e-sports league by the iconic sailing competition, attracting top virtual sailors from around the world to claim their place among America’s Cup legends.

Barcelona, 9th April 2024.- America’s Cup, the pinnacle of international yachting, is taking a leap into the virtual world with the launch of its official simulation videogame, AC Sailing, along with its first-ever e-sports world championship, America’s Cup E-series.

AC Sailing is developed from the same physics engine used in the very simulators that America’s Cup teams train with to enhance racing tactics and recreate race scenarios, as well as develop and test design ideas and iterations for their race yachts. It is set to revolutionize the future of sailing in e-sports, creating an exciting opportunity for fans worldwide to engage with the oldest trophy in international sports in an entirely new way.

Grant Dalton, CEO of America’s Cup Event, said, “Creating a full simulation game from a simulator that our sailors and designers use in the real America’s Cup world is really exciting. Gamers will get to experience America’s Cup sailing as close to reality as possible like never before”

. “The America’s Cup has always been at the forefront of pushing boundaries of what’s possible in sailing. We’re thrilled to bring this innovation legacy into the virtual world, elevating the role of sailing within the e-sports ecosystem as we expand our footprint to become the most inclusive sailing competition of all times”.

AC Sailing lets players take command of high-tech foiling AC40 yachts and race against others in breath-taking online races, as well as honing their skills in time trials and practice modes. The game will feature real-world locations such as Barcelona, the host venue of the 37th America’s Cup, and authentic liveries from the iconic AC40 America’s Cup yachts.

The game is the culmination of over 10 years of research and development by Emirates Team New Zealand, the current Defender of the America’s Cup, which helped the team win and retain the cup over the last two editions.

According to Emirates Team New Zealand’s Chief Technical Officer Dan Bernasconi, “By combining ultra-realistic gameplay with powerful graphics, we’re able to transport players to the centre of the action, allowing them to experience the thrill and complexity of competitive sailing like never before. AC Sailing is built on the powerful ‘Gomboc’ physics engine developed within Emirates Team New Zealand and used by most America’s Cup teams for yacht design and sailor training”.

The mechanics of the game have been designed to mimic those on the water, providing a great opportunity for both sailors and sim game players to put their skills to the test. The game features a comprehensive tutorial and several aids to allow everyone the chance to enjoy improving their skills up to the level of an America’s Cup sailor and ultimately the opportunity to qualify for the America’s Cup E- Series, a new pathway to the oldest yachting competition.

AMERICA’S CUP E-SERIES, A NEW PATHWAY TO THE OLDEST YACHTING COMPETITION

The America's Cup E-Series will allow players from around the globe will have the chance to race against each other and claim their place among the America's Cup legends. The E-series will consist of Online Qualifiers and a Grand Final taking place in Barcelona in September, with exact dates yet to be revealed.

Powered by AC Sailing as its official videogame, the first season of the America's Cup E-series will be open to all gamers. The final events will be live streamed on Twitch for a global audience, marking a historical moment for the America's Cup and the sailing community at large.

“We think there is potential for the best AC Sailing players to step out of the gaming room and onto the AC40 in real life- just like the Women & Youth sailors have been doing in training for the Puig Women’s America’s Cup and the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup.” said Bernasconi.

AMERICA’S CUP AND GENERALITAT DE CATALUNYA, A TECHNOLOGICAL PARTNERSHIP

The process of creating the official video game of the America's Cup has been supported by ACCIÓ – the agency for business competitiveness of the Generalitat de Catalunya – which has facilitated the participation of a Catalan studio in the creation of the game. This participation exemplifies the potential of the video game sector in Catalonia, the leading region in the European Union in terms of attracting foreign investment in this area. According to ACCIÓ data, there are more than 200 video game companies in Catalonia, employing almost 4,000 workers and with a combined turnover of more than 500 million euros.

Roger Torrent i Ramió, the Minister of Business and Labour from the Government of Catalonia, stated, "Another great opportunity that hosting a global event such as the America's Cup offers us is the ability to showcase Catalonia's emerging potential in sectors such as video games. This industry is growing in Catalonia through foreign investment, but also thanks to local talent, such as those who have participated in this project." Additionally, Torrent emphasized that "AC Sailing will also be available in Catalan, which is an important milestone in increasing the presence of our language in this industry."

“The Generalitat de Catalunya via ACCIÓ continues to leverage the technological opportunities that the event provides and has been a very willing partner in the development of the AC Sailing game.” Said America’s Cup Event CEO Grant Dalton.

AC Sailing is available for free download on PC through the Epic Store and Steam platforms, allowing for in-game cosmetic purchases. The game will be updated with new content, as additional locations, skins and a single-player AI match race are expected to be added during the upcoming months.

For more information about AC Sailing, visit www.acsailing.com

Watch the LIVE STREAM LAUNCH here from 18:20 CET April 9th