The Need-to-Know Guide to the NYC America’s Cup World Series

Like: “Where’s the VIP section” and “The heck am I watching?"

By The Editors
April 18, 2016 9:00 am

Plans for the first weekend in May?

If it doesn’t involve multi-million dollar racing yachts swapping paint at death-defying speeds, clear your calendar.

The America’s Cup is returning to NYC for qualifying after a 96-year hiatus.

A welcome return, considering New York holds the record for longest reigning champion: the NY Yacht Club held the Auld Mug from 1851-1983.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of race day.

New York homecoming for America’s Cup1:21

The Event
NYC’s America’s Cup World Series is one of six planned events on the 2016 calendar, which consists of qualifying rounds for the 35th America’s Cup Final, which will take place in 2017 in Bermuda. Six teams will be in attendance. Practice racing will begin on May 6th, with points-based racing on May 7th and 8th along the lower Hudson River between Pier 25 and Battery Park City.

Where to Watch
Event Village outside of Brookfield Place will host the Dock-Out Ceremony, where crowds can cheer on teams as they head out to open waters. Beyond that, there is more than a mile of free front row seats along the Hudson. To step it up, VIP packages are available here for the America’s Cup Legends Club on a 14th-floor terrace above the races, complete gourmet eats, primo swill and guest speakers like Sir Russell Coutts, CEO of the America’s Cup. Or, should you have say 50 or so friends that would like to join for the weekend, Legends Suites are available with the same in-suite amenities but a more intimate setting.

And if you’re cruising in on your own vessel for a water view, register your boat here.

The Teams
After two rounds of qualifying, the stats coming into the NYC race are as follows:

What to know
Chances are you’ll want to be in-the-know for chatting it up in the Legends Suite or just understanding what the heck you’re watching. To assist, here is a helpful glossary of sailing terms from our neighboring Chicago edition, along with everything you need to know about the Finals in Bermuda.

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