The Battle For The Cup

As the final rounds of the 35th America’s Cup approach, here’s all you need to know to follow the action.

With boat speeds regularly topping out at over 40 knots in winds of between 10 and 15 knots, the first round robin saw teams ‘flying’ around the racecourse. The determination of all teams has shown from race one and none are shying away from phenomenally close manoeuvres that would take your breath away in a dinghy, never mind on an ACC. Plenty of passes and plenty of unpredictability have made for great racing. But as we go to press at the end of the first round robin, there’s still a long way to go in the battle for the Cup...

WHERE ARE WE UP TO SO FAR? 

By the time this issue hits the shelves, the team that will challenge Oracle Team USA for the 35th America’s Cup will have been whittled down to one of two teams – each one a winner of the two Challenger Playoffs semi final matches. Exactly which gets to be the challenger will be decided in the Challenger Playoff Finals, beginning on Saturday 10 June. The victor will be the first to five wins. With three races each day, if the maximum number of races (nine) are needed, racing will continue through Sunday (11 June) and into Monday. The winner will go on to race against the defender in the Cup Match.

WHAT ABOUT THE CUP MATCH?