“We are prepared to browse with you,” the mayor of Barcelona. Versus Jaume Collboniseveral hundred people from the family Sailing America’s Cup at the Palauet Albèniz. In this way they were given the official welcome to the Catalan capital, 320 days until the start of the sports and technological competition.
The landing of the six teams in which will be the headquarters of the 37th edition in 2024 has been progressive, but since this August all of them have a stable group both athletes and specialists in engineering, mechanics, sails, helmets, computing, meteorology and other specialties. They live with their families, with their partners, alone, with other members of the group, most in the city and others in the metropolitan area. They are some 120 people per team.
Turn Catalonia into your home
The ‘president’ of the Generalitat, Pere Aragoneshas also invited them “to make Catalonia your home” and recalled that the “spirit of the country” has always been that of “reception“, with the entrance door representing the Mediterranean.
The majority of those present (and by extension their family environment) are nomads. They have competed in several America’s Cups, many times wearing different colors, they have lived in different countries, they have had to adapt. That is why this Friday, while they mingled with the authorities who were full of compliments, most of them agreed that this time the Barcelona election has benefited them in quality of life, gastronomy or meteorology (the latter on land, not always at sea).
More quotes like this
But if they have appreciated something about the meeting at Montjuïc palace is that they have met again three weeks after the preliminary regattas of Vilanova i la Geltrú, where the Americans won. When there is still a month and a half to go compete again in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), there are not many occasions in which the six teams can see each other, beyond training at sea or when they cross paths on the Port Vell.
“They were grateful for the opportunity, they would like there to be more events like this,” he commented. Albert Vilumarafrom the organization of America’s Cup Events (ACE). And when they are out of the water, harmony and good manners reign, even jokes.
The usual roles
Furthermore, as was confirmed again this Friday, each squad maintains the usual role: noisy italians from Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli; the discreet kiwis Emirates Team New Zealand; the timid french from Orient Express Racing Team; the enthusiasts swiss of Alinghi Red Bull Racing; the haughty british Ineos wave overwhelming security in themselves American Magic New York Yacht Club.
Although Swiss, New Zealanders and Americans agree with the navy blue t-shirts, it is easy to know which team they play for. The logo caps They also help, but this Friday few showed it off. Not even the executive director of ACE, Grant Dalton, which almost never takes it off. She thought he was a most formal day.
group photos
Related news
dalton He has signed up for the photo with his team, the defending champion and one of the favorites for victory, although he has taken the smiling reproach of one of them, because he did not wear the uniform of Emirates but that of the 37th edition of the Copa América. In his intervention before the 600 guests at the reception of the City Council, the person most responsible for the event has insisted on “involve” as many people as possible in the event.
But for the witty musician Miqui Puig who, in charge of entertaining the event, has chosen the melody of the march over the River Kwai bridge at the precise moment in which they entered the ‘president’ Aragonès and the Mayor Collboni in the Albèniz gardens, causing both to smile and greet him from a distance.