The 37th Louis Vuitton America’s Cup was held in Barcelona between last August and October. The world’s most important and oldest sailing competition turned Barcelona into one of the most thrilling events in the Catalan capital, with New Zealand emerging as the final champion of the tournament. What is the America’s Cup? The America’s Cup is the world’s most prestigious and oldest sailing competition — it has been held since 1851 when England hosted the first edition on the Isle of Wight. With 174 years of history, this international regatta brings together sailing clubs from various countries. In 2024, Barcelona was chosen as the host city for the competition. The America’s Cup is organized as follows: the reigning champion from the previous edition competes in the final match against the team that wins the preliminary regattas held during the current competition. Throughout the competition’s history, only four countries have managed to win the Hundred Guineas Cup: the United States, which holds the title the most times with 30 editions (including the inaugural regatta around the Isle of Wight), New Zealand with 4, Switzerland with 2, and Australia with 1. In this edition in Barcelona, six teams participated: the defending champion Emirates Team New Zealand (New Zealand), INEOS Britannia (United Kingdom), Alinghi Red Bull Racing (Switzerland), Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (Italy), American Magic New York Yacht Club (United States), and Orient Express Racing Team (France). Why were Catalonia and Barcelona chosen for the 37th America’s Cup? Barcelona was selected for this event because Catalonia’s coastline, stretching 800 km, is one of the richest and most diverse in the world. Within a relatively small area, one can enjoy long sandy beaches or secluded and wild coves. Maritime navigation and trade played a decisive role in the transformation and modernization of Catalonia in the 19th century. Moreover, the seafaring tradition is deeply rooted in coastal towns. The Marine Neighborhoods and Seafaring Villages of Catalonia, with their traditions, culture, and gastronomy, are a testament to this heritage. Barcelona, the Catalan capital, is a maritime city with extensive experience in hosting international and global sports events, such as the 1992 Olympic Games and the 1982 FIFA World Cup. It has also successfully organized international sailing competitions such as the Barcelona World Race, the Extreme Sailing Series, and Solomed. Catalonia and Barcelona have become a welcoming destination for the event, showcasing their tradition and gastronomy, where the world of the sea and sailing have taken center stage. Innovations in the 2024 America's Cup edition in Barcelona For the first time in the 173-year history of the competition, Barcelona hosted the inaugural edition of the Women's America's Cup, the Puig Women's America's Cup, aligning with the promotion of women's sports. Barcelona also welcomed the Unicredit Youth America's Cup, the youth competition, which had not been held for many years. Both competitions featured 12 participating teams, including the local team, SailTeamBCN. The flying yachts One of the most distinctive features of the America's Cup yachts is that they were built by the teams themselves and equipped with foils (hydrofoils) that allowed them to fly over the water. These hydrofoils are metallic arms located on each side of the boat, port, and starboard. When fully deployed, they measure 7 meters and each weighs 1,000 kg. These appendages enable the boats to "fly" using a complex electronic system controlled by flight operators from the deck. By reducing water resistance, these yachts can reach a maximum speed of 120 km/h. The men's teams competed with AC75 boats, which had eight crew members, while the women's and youth teams used smaller AC40 boats with four crew members. What legacy has the America's Cup left behind? In parallel with the organization of the America's Cup, public administrations, under the Barcelona Nautical Capital Foundation, promoted a series of projects aimed at maximizing the socioeconomic impact of the event and enhancing its legacy. These projects included initiatives in the fields of sports, education, science, sustainability, technology, maritime culture, and the blue economy, all of which were launched or accelerated thanks to the celebration of the America's Cup. America's Cup Final and Results The final of the 37th edition of the America's Cup was contested between Great Britain and New Zealand. A total of 9 races were held between the two rivals. New Zealand triumphed over the British team with a 7-2 score. The Kiwis once again demonstrated their exceptional sailing skills, delivering a flawless performance where both the water and the wind seemed to favor them. In the first race, the New Zealand team positioned itself on the right, its preferred zone, quickly gaining an advantage over their rival. By the third race, New Zealand was already 10 meters ahead of the British team. With a heartfelt message of “Thank you, Barcelona” from the Kiwis during the final race, they sealed their ultimate victory. Shortly after, the team could be seen celebrating their triumph. Check out the complete table with all the results of the 37th edition of the America's Cup here.