The 37th edition of the America’s Cup in Barcelona has witnessed significant events both on and off the water on October 13, 2024. Emirates Team New Zealand has consolidated its lead by winning the third consecutive race against INEOS Britannia, taking their advantage to 3-0 in this best-of-13 series.
A Tense Race
The third race began with a crucial incident. Both boats found themselves in a precarious situation, nearly colliding during their positioning maneuvers. This action resulted in a 50-meter penalty for the British team, deemed responsible for not maintaining sufficient safety distance.Peter Burling, skipper of the New Zealand team, commented: “It was a bit uncomfortable, to be honest, seeing the boats get that close. But the umpires deemed we were clear enough, so it was great to get the penalty and control the race from there.”
New Zealand Dominance
Capitalizing on this initial advantage, the New Zealand crew maintained their lead throughout the race, crossing the finish line with a 51-second lead. This victory once again demonstrates Team New Zealand’s technical and tactical mastery as they aim for their third consecutive title in this prestigious competition.
British Disappointment
For Sir Ben Ainslie and his INEOS Britannia team, this day has been particularly challenging. Already facing technical issues in Saturday’s first race, the British have seen their hopes of coming back in the series diminish with this new defeat.Despite this setback, Ainslie remains determined: “We have to stay positive. There’s still a long way to go in this competition, we need to keep pushing.”
Weather Conditions and Prospects
The fourth race, initially scheduled for Sunday afternoon, had to be postponed due to insufficient wind conditions. The competition rules require a minimum wind of 6.5 knots for races to take place.The next race is now scheduled for Monday, October 14, subject to favorable weather conditions. The New Zealand team is just four wins away from claiming the trophy, while the British must imperatively react to hope to win their first America’s Cup.
Protests in Barcelona
While the competition unfolds on the water, a significant event has occurred on land. About two thousand local residents demonstrated against the organization of the America’s Cup near Barcelona’s old port, where team bases and fan zones are located.The protesters draw a direct connection between the organization of international events like the America’s Cup and the already massive presence of tourists in the Catalan capital.
Their main concerns are:
- The skyrocketing rents, fueled by short-term apartment rentals for tourists.
- The transformation of numerous city neighborhoods, now primarily oriented towards tourists’ interests and expectations.
Economic Impact in Question
Local authorities estimate that this two-month event will attract about 2.5 million tourists and generate over one billion euros (1.8 billion New Zealand dollars) for the city’s economy. They claim that this type of event represents exactly the “quality tourism” that Barcelona needs.This demonstration is part of a broader debate on the impact of mass tourism in Barcelona. While authorities highlight the positive economic benefits, many residents are concerned about the pressure exerted on the social and urban fabric of their city.The 2024 America’s Cup thus finds itself at the center of a societal debate that goes far beyond the sporting framework. While the New Zealand and British teams battle on the water for the prestigious trophy, Barcelona’s inhabitants are fighting on land to preserve their quality of life and the identity of their city.
This protest movement underscores the need for organizers of international events to take into account the concerns of local communities, in order to find a balance between economic benefits and the preservation of the urban social fabric.