Louis Vuitton Cup 2024: how challenger selection worked
How Barcelona’s 2024 America’s Cup challengers were selected: teams, double round robin, semi-finals and the Louis Vuitton Cup final.
Published
Written by Boat Trip Barcelona team
Challenger selection for Barcelona’s 2024 America’s Cup took place through the Louis Vuitton Cup. This historical article retains its original publication date and explains how the defender’s opponent was selected for the 37th edition.
The 2024 competition has concluded. The official Louis Vuitton Cup window was 29 August to 7 October, including reserve days. See the official 2024 schedule.
See our current corporate sailing and team regattas. This guide does not offer bookings for the 2024 edition.
What is the America’s Cup Challenger Selection Series?
The Louis Vuitton Cup selected the challenger for the America’s Cup Match. It took place in Barcelona after the August 2024 preliminary regatta.
Five teams competed for the right to face the defender, Emirates Team New Zealand, in the Match.
How the Challenger Selection Series competition is run
The format comprised a double round robin, semi-finals and a final. The challengers raced each other twice in the opening phase.
The top four challengers advanced to the semi-finals. The highest-ranked challenger selected its semi-final opponent. The semi-finals were first to 5 points and the final first to 7, according to the official Louis Vuitton Cup format.
Which teams participated in the Challenger Selection Series in Barcelona?
The five Barcelona 2024 challengers represented the United Kingdom, United States, Switzerland, France and Italy:
From the United Kingdom, INEOS Britannia acted as Challenger of Record, representing the challengers in their relationship with the defender.
From the United States, NYYC American Magic. From Switzerland, Alinghi Red Bull Racing. From France, Orient Express Racing Team. From Italy, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli.
Which boats competed in this phase of the America’s Cup Sailing 2024?
The first two preliminary regattas in 2023 used standardised AC40s. Barcelona’s preliminary regatta and the 2024 Louis Vuitton Cup used AC75s.
AC75s use foils to lift their hulls above the water while sailing. Each team developed its boat within the class rules.
Which finalist does not participate in the Challenger Selection Series and why?
The challengers competed for a place in the Match. The other participant was the defending team, Emirates Team New Zealand.
The defender did not need to win the Louis Vuitton Cup to enter the Match. This format distinguishes the reigning champion from challengers who must progress through selection.
Challenger Selection as Part of Barcelona 2024
The stages allowed followers to watch the teams’ progress towards the Barcelona Match. The edition ended with Emirates Team New Zealand’s victory on 19 October 2024 against INEOS Britannia.
This information is retained as a historical reference to 2024. Check the available activity pages for current trips at sea.
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