A VOLUNTEER'S PERSPECTIVE: VILANOVA I LA GELTRÚ BUZZES WITH THE AMERICA’S CUP

(Co-authored by: Lucía Bravo, Michela D'Auria, Marc Descals, Bas Hilferink and Judith Perxés)

The beaches and the Official 37^th America’s Cup Race Village have been the place to follow an impressive show, like a movie script: a first day of apocalyptic rains, and races cancelled, to start with mystery; a second day of light winds with two races and an unexpected leader to increase the tension; and a fabulous third day with sunshine and generous winds to make the whole city vibrate.

The festive and family atmosphere stood out in the Race Village, which was installed in Plaça del Port and had free access for all. There, they enjoyed a varied gastronomic offer, cultural activities, music, interviews, exhibitions and activations of the teams and sponsors. A little further, on the beach of Ribes Roges, the fans gathered to follow the action, and the most curious tried to get as close as possible to the sailboats, following them from the statue of the Pasiphae.

On the first day of the regatta, not even the rain could dampen the spirit of the spectators and the organisation, with the desire to enjoy this historic event. "From the apocalypse of rain that they said: nothing here", this is how Jordi Basté began the radio program El Món on RAC 1, which was broadcast live from the port of Vilanova i la Geltrú to follow and explain first-hand everything that happened at this world-renowned event. After two sunny days of training, and with a calendar always full of sun in the capital of Garraf, no one could have predicted the stormy day that happened but the public's great expectation and interest in the months leading up to the competition, were evident from the first day of the 37th edition of the America's Cup.

And it is also with this energy and the public's interest in experiencing the excitement of the America's Cup that the successive days premiered. It is explained by Nolan and Trevor, two Irish brothers in love with the Gold Coast, who chance has given them the opportunity to follow this international event up close. Their stay in Vilanova i la Geltrú was scheduled to visit the Railway Museum of Catalonia, but they extended their visit to experience the adrenaline rush of seeing the AC40s and sailors in action.

The atmosphere at the America's Cup seemed perfect to them: "The atmosphere is calm to enjoy the activities and it's fantastic to have access to so many spaces open to the public". They also highlighted the differentiating feature of the accessibility towards other competitions and the feeling of experiencing it from the inside: "as few big sporting events allow you".

The Vissers, a Dutch family with a passion for the maritime world and navigation, have also enjoyed the experience. They came expressly from Amsterdam, and they are clear: "Next year we will go with our boat to Barcelona".

From closer to Barcelona, comes Gerard, who had marked the event on his agenda for months: "I was really looking forward to it, I will come every day. I think it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, we can't waste it." Vilanova i la Geltrú is the second Spanish city to host the competition. Valencia made history with the 32nd and 33rd editions and Barcelona will continue that history in 2024.

International expectation is obvious. The America's Cup gathers sailors from all over the world, like Angel, who lives for the competition from his sailboat, a few meters from the action. Following it from the water is a luxury, and he adds: "My friends line up to join me on the sailboat and live the experience from the water."

"The passion for the America's Cup is trans-continental", commented another Catalan visitor. "My daughter was in New Zealand and had the privilege of testing a prototype of the AC40, it was an amazing experience and now that I've seen the regatta in person, I understand how excited she was to test this prototype of the ‘nautical elite.’

It is, in general, a passion for sailing, and it is passed down from generation to generation. It has been demonstrated with the Catalan Catamaran (Patin Catalan) regatta, in which young and old navigated the same waters of the AC40 regatta fleet. Craftsmanship and history on the one hand, innovation and technology on the other.

With the final day, the highest point arrived. The day went along, with sun and the winds that everyone wanted, and Vilanova i la Geltrú vibrated. The fans flooded the beaches and the Race Village, and there were  queues in the shops to get America's Cup products from the teams. The euphoria has taken hold of young people and adults, flags and faces painted with the colours of the teams they follow.

The America's Cup has truly arrived in Vilanova i la Geltrú, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.