MEET THE SAILORS, FLY-BYS AND NON-STOP ENTERTAINMENT – WHAT NOT TO MISS IN CAGLIARI THIS WEEKEND
The first stop on the ‘Road to Naples’ for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup is happening this weekend in Sardinia, on the beautiful waters of the Bay of Angels sat before the bustling port city of Cagliari. Forecasters are predicting ‘champagne’ conditions for the eight teams contesting the Prelim Regatta, and if the sea-breeze comes in, we can expect a feast of top-class international foiling in the world’s most exciting fleet-racing class – the AC40.
Shoreside, there is something for everyone with the epicentre being the free-to-all Race Village situated along the Via Roma in downtown Cagliari. The doors open at 12pm and fans will immediately be able to see the AC40 yachts up-close with at least five yachts docked just off. The lively pre-Race show starts at 1pm, hosted by Rachele Vitello and Jesse Tuke (in both Italian and English), who will introduce the sailors before the dock-out show, live from the pontoon at 1.30pm as the sailors get ready to board the AC40s for racing.
Once the teams are away, fans can enjoy all the action from the racecourse on large screens set throughout, take-in the Official America’s Cup store filled with team merchandise or enjoy first-class gastronomy at the Food Courts around the Race Village. Just ahead of the racing, the crowds in the Race Village will be entertained by a roster of local musical talent between 2pm and 2.30pm.
To watch the racing out on the Bay of Angels in person and in particular the team fly-bys, fans will need to stroll along to the FanZone Lazzaretto, to the east of the Race Village, where they are in for a treat, not just in pure sailboat racing terms.
At 2.15pm on race days (22-24 May), the teams will perform high-speed fly-bys close to the shore, one by one - with the biggest roars expected to be for the home-team, Luna Rossa!
From the first day of regatta racing (Friday 22nd May), foiling fans and those completely new to the sport, can also enjoy the FIV Foil Academy which will open from 10am to 3pm and then from 5pm to 8pm (outside of the race times) with a static exhibition of foil platforms and equipment, a guided interaction with visitors, schools and guests and live demonstration sailing on the exciting Waszp, WingFoil, Switch and BirdyFish foiling platforms.
It’s not to be missed, and during the allotted race times of 3pm to 5pm, fans can both watch the on-water action live before them or catch the broadcast commentary on the big screens along the FanZone Lazzaretto. The weather looks perfect this weekend for a stroll along to the FanZone Lazeretto – so why not take a walk and be part of the action?
After racing, all the action is down at the Race Village as the sailors come ashore and the Main Stage will again be the epicentre with the Dock-In show where sailors from every team will be interviewed, and there will be the opportunity for fans to get autographs and posters signed afterwards.
From 6.30pm through to 8pm, America’s Cup fans will be entertained by local musical artists before both the Race Village and the FanZone Lazzaretto both close at 8pm every day.
Sardinia is getting ready to host the world on this, the first stop on the ‘Road to Naples’ and the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup. There is something for everyone.
Be there.