Two-time defending champion New Zealand edged Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, but the point didn’t count since New Zealand, as the cup defender, is guaranteed a spot in the finals.
The Italians bounced back by beating Orient Express by nearly 1 1/2 minutes.
The opening double round robin phase of the America’s Cup will eliminate the weakest of the five challengers by Sept. 8.
All of the teams will race one-on-one twice. New Zealand will participate in this phase and then drop out of the following two-round playoffs and await the survivor in the final to be held in October.
New Zealand is aiming for a third straight cup win after being victorious in 2017 in Bermuda and 2021 in Auckland. The Kiwis brought the cup to Barcelona saying it was necessary to guarantee the financial security of the team and a competition that would attract enough sponsors. Fashion and luxury goods designer Louis Vuitton has returned as the official sponsor of the race, and the trophy is secured in a custom Louis Vuitton case when it travels.
The America’s Cup is the world oldest international sports trophy. Only four countries — the U.S., New Zealand, Australia and Switzerland — have ever won it.
Spain’s King Felipe VI, who sailed in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, was in attendance on Day 1.
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AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports
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Publish date : 2024-08-29 07:05:00
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