“This is almost certainly the highest Challenger standard seen in the America’s Cup in the past 25 years and the winner will be battle-hardened having come through the white-hot intensity of the Louis Vuitton Cup,” Grant Dalton, CEO of Emirates Team New Zealand and America’s Cup Events (ACE), said.
“For Emirates Team New Zealand, we will have seen the competitiveness early in the Round Robin stage, but it will be a very different and interesting challenge for us to overcome when it comes to the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Match. It’s going to be a classic Cup contest.”
Team New Zealand’s races in the Round Robin stage will not count towards the semifinal rankings. With five challenger entries it means four will advance to the next stage with one team being eliminated.
The top qualifier will select their semifinal opponent and in each half of the semifinal draw it’s a first-to-five, best of nine race format.
There can be no room for error from the challengers, no off days. The schedule rewards consistency and the opportunity to select your opponent after finishing top at the series conclusion of the second round robin is immense.
The Louis Vuitton Cup Final will see the winning semifinalists battle it out for the right to face Team New Zealand in the 37th America’s Cup Match after a best-of-13 (first to seven) series.
The format for the America’s Cup Match itself is also a best-of-13 races (first to seven) with an expected conclusion by October 21 (Reserve days are scheduled for October 22-27 if required.)
America’s Cup Challengers:
Alinghi Red Bull Racing
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli
NYYC American Magic
INEOS Britannia
Orient Express Team
America’s Cup key dates:
Preliminary Regatta: August 22-25
Louis Vuitton Cup Round Robins: August 29 to September 8
Louis Vuitton Cup Semifinals: September 14-19
Louis Vuitton Cup Finals: September 26-October 5
Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Match: October 12-21
